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Hruba P, Klema J, Le AV, Girmanova E, Mrazova P, Massart A, Maixnerova D, Voska L, Piredda GB, Biancone L, Puga AR, Seyahi N, Sever MS, Weekers L, Muhfeld A, Budde K, Watschinger B, Miglinas M, Zahradka I, Abramowicz M, Abramowicz D, Viklicky O. Novel transcriptomic signatures associated with premature kidney allograft failure. EBioMedicine 2023; 96:104782. [PMID: 37660534 PMCID: PMC10480056 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The power to predict kidney allograft outcomes based on non-invasive assays is limited. Assessment of operational tolerance (OT) patients allows us to identify transcriptomic signatures of true non-responders for construction of predictive models. METHODS In this observational retrospective study, RNA sequencing of peripheral blood was used in a derivation cohort to identify a protective set of transcripts by comparing 15 OT patients (40% females), from the TOMOGRAM Study (NCT05124444), 14 chronic active antibody-mediated rejection (CABMR) and 23 stable graft function patients ≥15 years (STA). The selected differentially expressed transcripts between OT and CABMR were used in a validation cohort (n = 396) to predict 3-year kidney allograft loss at 3 time-points using RT-qPCR. FINDINGS Archetypal analysis and classifier performance of RNA sequencing data showed that OT is clearly distinguishable from CABMR, but similar to STA. Based on significant transcripts from the validation cohort in univariable analysis, 2 multivariable Cox models were created. A 3-transcript (ADGRG3, ATG2A, and GNLY) model from POD 7 predicted graft loss with C-statistics (C) 0.727 (95% CI, 0.638-0.820). Another 3-transcript (IGHM, CD5, GNLY) model from M3 predicted graft loss with C 0.786 (95% CI, 0.785-0.865). Combining 3-transcripts models with eGFR at POD 7 and M3 improved C-statistics to 0.860 (95% CI, 0.778-0.944) and 0.868 (95% CI, 0.790-0.944), respectively. INTERPRETATION Identification of transcripts distinguishing OT from CABMR allowed us to construct models predicting premature graft loss. Identified transcripts reflect mechanisms of injury/repair and alloimmune response when assessed at day 7 or with a loss of protective phenotype when assessed at month 3. FUNDING Supported by the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic under grant NV19-06-00031.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Hruba
- Transplant Laboratory, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Klema
- Department of Computer Science, Czech Technical University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anh Vu Le
- Department of Computer Science, Czech Technical University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Girmanova
- Transplant Laboratory, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Mrazova
- Transplant Laboratory, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Annick Massart
- Antwerp University Hospital and Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dita Maixnerova
- Department of Nephrology, 1st Faculty of Medicine and General Faculty Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ludek Voska
- Department of Clinical and Transplant Pathology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Gian Benedetto Piredda
- Department of Kidney Disease Medicine of Renal Transplantation, G.Brotzu Hospital Cagliari, Italy
| | - Luigi Biancone
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Ana Ramirez Puga
- Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria, Servicio de nefrología, Spain
| | - Nurhan Seyahi
- Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Nephrology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Sukru Sever
- Istanbul University, Istanbul School of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Anja Muhfeld
- Department of Nephrology, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Klemens Budde
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Nephrologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bruno Watschinger
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Nephrology, Medical University Vienna / AKH Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marius Miglinas
- Faculty of Medicine, Nephrology Center, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Ivan Zahradka
- Department of Nephrology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marc Abramowicz
- Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet 1, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Abramowicz
- Antwerp University Hospital and Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ondrej Viklicky
- Transplant Laboratory, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Nephrology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Toti L, Manzia TM, Sensi B, Blasi F, Baiocchi L, Lenci I, Angelico R, Tisone G. Towards tolerance in liver transplantation. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2021; 54-55:101770. [PMID: 34874844 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpg.2021.101770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Life-long immunosuppression has always been considered the key in managing liver graft protection from recipient rejection. However, it is associated with severe adverse effects that lead to increased morbidity and mortality, including infections, cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, metabolic disorders and de novo malignancies. This explains the great interest that has developed in the concept of tolerance in recent years. The liver, thanks to its marked tolerogenicity, is to be considered a privileged organ: up to 60% of selected patients undergoing liver transplantation could safely withdraw immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Toti
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary and Transplant Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - T M Manzia
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Department of Surgical Science, Italy
| | - B Sensi
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Department of Surgical Science, Italy
| | - F Blasi
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Department of Surgical Science, Italy
| | - L Baiocchi
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Department of Surgical Science, Italy
| | - I Lenci
- Hepatology and Liver Transplant Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - R Angelico
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Department of Surgical Science, Italy
| | - G Tisone
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Department of Surgical Science, Italy
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Lee YH, Seo JW, Kim YG, Moon JY, Kim JS, Jeong KH, Kim BM, Kim KW, Yang CW, Kim CD, Park JB, Kim YH, Chung BH, Lee SH. Validation Study of an Operational Tolerance Signature in Korean Kidney Transplant Recipients. Immune Netw 2018; 18:e36. [PMID: 30402331 PMCID: PMC6215901 DOI: 10.4110/in.2018.18.e36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Operational tolerance (OT), defined as maintaining stable graft function without immunosuppression after transplant surgery, is an ideal goal for kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Recent investigations have demonstrated the distinctive features of B cells, T cells, and dendritic cell-related gene signatures and the distributions of circulating lymphocytes in these patients; nonetheless, substantial heterogeneities exist across studies. This study was conducted to determine whether previously reported candidate gene biomarkers and the profiles of lymphocyte subsets of OT could be applied in Korean KTRs. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 153 patients, including 7 operationally tolerant patients. Quantitative real-time PCR and flow cytometry were performed to evaluate gene expression and lymphocyte subsets, respectively. Patients with OT showed significantly higher levels of B cell-related gene signatures (IGKV1D-13 and IGKV4-1), while T cell-related genes (TOAG-1) and dendritic cell-related genes (BNC2, KLF6, and CYP1B1) were not differentially expressed across groups. Lymphocyte subset analyses also revealed a higher proportion of immature B cells in this group. In contrast, the distributions of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, mature B cells, and memory B cells showed no differences across diagnostic groups. An OT signature, generated by the integration of IGKV1D-13, IGKV4-1, and immature B cells, effectively discriminated patients with OT from those in other diagnostic groups. Finally, the OT signature was observed among 5.6% of patients who had stable graft function for more than 10 years while on immunosuppression. In conclusion, we validated an association of B cells and their related signature with OT in Korean KTRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Ho Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
| | - Jung-Woo Seo
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
| | - Yang Gyun Kim
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
| | - Ju-Young Moon
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
| | - Jin Sug Kim
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
| | - Kyung-Hwan Jeong
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
| | - Bo-Mi Kim
- Transplant Research Center, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
| | - Kyoung Woon Kim
- Transplant Research Center, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
| | - Chul Woo Yang
- Transplant Research Center, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
| | - Chan-Duck Kim
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41404, Korea
| | - Jae Berm Park
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Korea
| | - Yeong Hoon Kim
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan 47392, Korea
| | - Byung Ha Chung
- Transplant Research Center, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
| | - Sang-Ho Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
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Chesneau M, Danger R, Soulillou JP, Brouard S. B cells in operational tolerance. Hum Immunol 2018; 79:373-379. [PMID: 29458071 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2018.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Revised: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Transplantation is currently the therapy of choice for endstage organ failure even though it requires long-term immunosuppresive therapy, with its numerous side effects, for acceptance of the transplanted organ. In rare cases however, patients develop operational tolerance, that is, graft survival without immunosuppression. Studies conducted on these patients reveal genetic, phenotypic, and functional signatures. They provide a better understanding of the immunological mechanisms involved in operational tolerance and define biomarkers that could be used to adapt immunosuppressive treatment to the individual, safely reduce immunosuppression doses, and ideally and safely guide immunosuppression withdrawal. This review summarizes studies that suggest a role for B cells as biomarkers of operational tolerance and discusses the use of B cells as a predictive tool for immunologic risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Chesneau
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR 1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France; Institut de Transplantation Urologie Néphrologie (ITUN), CHU Nantes, Nantes, France; LabEx IGO "Immunotherapy, Graft, Oncology," Nantes, France
| | - R Danger
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR 1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France; Institut de Transplantation Urologie Néphrologie (ITUN), CHU Nantes, Nantes, France; LabEx IGO "Immunotherapy, Graft, Oncology," Nantes, France
| | - J-P Soulillou
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR 1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France; Institut de Transplantation Urologie Néphrologie (ITUN), CHU Nantes, Nantes, France; Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - S Brouard
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR 1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France; Institut de Transplantation Urologie Néphrologie (ITUN), CHU Nantes, Nantes, France; LabEx IGO "Immunotherapy, Graft, Oncology," Nantes, France; Centre d'Investigation Clinique (CIC) Biothérapie, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France.
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Todo S, Yamashita K. Anti-donor regulatory T cell therapy in liver transplantation. Hum Immunol 2018; 79:288-93. [PMID: 29292027 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2017.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Liver transplantation is accepted as the most reliable therapeutic option for patients with end-stage liver failure, but lifelong administration of immunosuppressive agents continues to be problematic due to various drug-induced morbidities and the risk of mortality. Complete cessation of immunosuppressive drugs while maintaining normal graft function and histology, called operational tolerance, has the potential to overcome these long-standing problems. Previously, we reported the results of a pilot study of anti- donor regulatory T cell therapy in 10 consecutive adult patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), of whom 7 patients successfully stopped immunosuppression for nearly 2 years. Described herein are the clinical follow-ups of these patients, a brief description of the protocol and its theoretical background, and a possible explanation for the immunological findings.
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Baroja-Mazo A, Revilla-Nuin B, Parrilla P, Martínez-Alarcón L, Ramírez P, Pons JA. Tolerance in liver transplantation: Biomarkers and clinical relevance. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:7676-7691. [PMID: 27678350 PMCID: PMC5016367 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i34.7676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Transplantation is the optimal treatment for end-stage organ failure, and modern immunosuppression has allowed important progress in short-term outcomes. However, immunosuppression poorly influences chronic rejection and elicits chronic toxicity in current clinical practice. Thus, a major goal in transplantation is to understand and induce tolerance. It is well established that human regulatory T cells expressing the transcription factor FoxP3 play important roles in the maintenance of immunological self-tolerance and immune homeostasis. The major regulatory T cell subsets and mechanisms of expansion that are critical for induction and long-term maintenance of graft tolerance and survival are being actively investigated. Likewise, other immune cells, such as dendritic cells, monocyte/macrophages or natural killer cells, have been described as part of the process known as “operational tolerance”. However, translation of these results towards clinical practice needs solid tools to identify accurately and reliably patients who are going to be tolerant. In this way, a plethora of genetic and cellular biomarkers is raising and being validated worldwide in large multi-center clinical trials. Few of the studies performed so far have provided a detailed analysis of the impact of immunosuppression withdrawal on pre-existing complications derived from the long-term administration of immunosuppressive drugs and the side effects associated with them. The future of liver transplantation is aimed to develop new therapies which increase the actual low tolerant vs non-tolerant recipients ratio.
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Stallone G, Infante B, Di Lorenzo A, Rascio F, Zaza G, Grandaliano G. mTOR inhibitors effects on regulatory T cells and on dendritic cells. J Transl Med 2016; 14:152. [PMID: 27245075 PMCID: PMC4886438 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-016-0916-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a cytoplasmic serine/threonine kinase, represents a key biologic "switch" modulating cell metabolisms in response to environmental signals and is now recognized as a central regulator of the immune system. There is an increasing body of evidence supporting the hypothesis that mTOR inhibitors exhibit several biological properties in addition to immunosuppression, including anti-neoplastic effects, cardio-protective activities, and an array of immunomodulatory actions facilitating the development of an operational graft tolerance. The biological mechanisms explaining how mTOR inhibition can enable a tolerogenic state are still largely unclear. The induction of transplant tolerance might at the same time decrease rejection rate and minimize immunosuppression-related side effects, leading to an improvement in long-term graft outcome. In this scenario, T cell immunoregulation has been defined as the hallmark of peripheral tolerance. Two main immunologic cell populations have been reported to play a central role in this setting: regulatory T cells (Tregs) and dendritic cells (DCs). In this review we focus on mTOR inhibitors effects on Treg and DCs differentiation, activation, and function in the transplantation setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Stallone
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Tranplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 1, 71100, Foggia, Italy
| | - Barbara Infante
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Tranplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 1, 71100, Foggia, Italy
| | - Adelaide Di Lorenzo
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Tranplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 1, 71100, Foggia, Italy
| | - Federica Rascio
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Tranplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 1, 71100, Foggia, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Zaza
- Renal Unit, Department of Medicine, University-Hospital of Verona, University of Verona, Piazzale A. Stefani 1, 37126, Verona, VR, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Grandaliano
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Tranplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 1, 71100, Foggia, Italy.
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Jwa E, Hwang S, Kwon YJ, Kim N, Song GW, Jung DH, Ahn CS, Tak E, Moon DB, Kim KH, Ha TY, Park GC, Lee SG. In vitro immune cell monitoring as a guide for long-term immunosuppression in adult liver transplant recipients. Korean J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg 2015; 19:139-48. [PMID: 26693232 PMCID: PMC4683916 DOI: 10.14701/kjhbps.2015.19.4.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Revised: 10/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Backgrounds/Aims We evaluated the clinical usability of immune cell monitoring in adult liver transplantation (LT) recipients. Methods This study was composed of two parts as using calcineurin phosphatase (CNP) activity assay and ImmuKnow assay independently as in vitro monitoring tools of immune cell function in adult LT recipients. Results There was a rough correlation between CNP activity and tacrolimus concentration in 33 patients. This association was evident in patients who were only administered tacrolimus, but disappeared after the co-administration of mycophenolate. In 118 healthy individuals, the mean proportion of helper T-cells was 37.4±8.1%. According to ImmuKnow assay, their immune responses were strong in 12 patients (10.2%), moderate in 92 patients (78.0%), and low in 14 patients (11.9%). In 85 patients waiting for LT, there was a rough correlation between the ImmuKnow ATP level and age. Their immune responses were strong in 0 patients (0%), moderate in 8 patients (9.4%), and low in 77 patients (90.6%). There was a difference in the ImmuKnow ATP levels between healthy individuals and patients with liver disease. In 137 LT recipients, there was no correlation between the ImmuKnow ATP levels and tacrolimus concentration. This trend did not change after grouping the patients according to co-administration with mycophenolate. Eight recipients experienced acute rejection, but none showed strong immune response. Conclusions We think that both CNP activity assay and ImmuKnow assay are too limited to objectively determine the level of immunosuppression. Further studies should be performed to identify other methods for immune function monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunkyoung Jwa
- Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Shin Hwang
- Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yong-Jae Kwon
- Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Nayoung Kim
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gi-Won Song
- Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong-Hwan Jung
- Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chul-Soo Ahn
- Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eunyoung Tak
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Deok-Bog Moon
- Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ki-Hun Kim
- Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Tae-Yong Ha
- Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gil-Chun Park
- Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung-Gyu Lee
- Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Lin NC, Wang HK, Yeh YC, Liu CP, Loong CC, Tsai HL, Chen CY, Chin T, Liu C. Minimization or withdrawal of immunosuppressants in pediatric liver transplant recipients. J Pediatr Surg 2015; 50:2128-33. [PMID: 26377868 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2015.08.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to minimize the dose of tacrolimus in pediatric patients undergoing liver transplantation prospectively. METHODS Pediatric liver transplant recipients with stable graft function >1year (transplant at <1year of age), or 2years (transplant at >1year of age) post transplant were screened. After baseline graft biopsy, patients were enrolled into our protocol for elective tacrolimus dose reduction. Patients were assessed by liver function test and protocol biopsy during and after tacrolimus dose reduction. RESULTS From January 2011 to December 2012, 16 patients were recruited, of whom 15 completed follow-up at a mean 40.75±5.98months. Six patients were preliminarily weaned off tacrolimus, and five remained tacrolimus-free for more than 2years. Of the 10 patients who were not weaned off tacrolimus, six experienced seven episodes of clinical rejection. Five patients had a reduction in tacrolimus dosage to an undetectable trough level, another five to a trough level <4ng/ml, including one patient who was off the study. At the last patient visit, all of the patients had normal liver function test results with no graft loss. Three patients had low-grade graft fibrosis. The patients with metabolic liver disease (p=0.039) and who were recruited earlier after transplantation (p=0.028) were more likely to be weaned off tacrolimus. CONCLUSION Tacrolimus withdrawal is feasible in select pediatric liver transplant recipients, and long-term follow-up for these patients is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niang-Cheng Lin
- Divisions of Pediatric Surgery, and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; National Yang-Ming University, School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Kai Wang
- Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; National Yang-Ming University, School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chen Yeh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; National Yang-Ming University, School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Pei Liu
- Divisions of Pediatric Surgery, and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; National Yang-Ming University, School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Che-Chuan Loong
- Divisions of Pediatric Surgery, and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; National Yang-Ming University, School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Lin Tsai
- Divisions of Pediatric Surgery, and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; National Yang-Ming University, School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yen Chen
- Divisions of Pediatric Surgery, and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; National Yang-Ming University, School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Taiwai Chin
- Divisions of Pediatric Surgery, and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; National Yang-Ming University, School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chinsu Liu
- Divisions of Pediatric Surgery, and Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; National Yang-Ming University, School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
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