{"title":"Editorial: Rising stars: cell and stem cell transplantation 2022","authors":"R. Greco, M. L. Lupo Stanghellini","doi":"10.3389/frtra.2024.1356546","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frtra.2024.1356546","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":483606,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Transplantation","volume":"111 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139606065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tommaso Di Maira, C. Vinaixa, M. Izzy, Francesco Paolo Russo, Varvara A. Kirchner, Ashwin Rammohan, L. Belli, Wojciech G Polak, Thomas Berg, M. Berenguer
{"title":"Worldwide variations in COVID-19 vaccination policies and practices in liver transplant settings: results of a multi-society global survey","authors":"Tommaso Di Maira, C. Vinaixa, M. Izzy, Francesco Paolo Russo, Varvara A. Kirchner, Ashwin Rammohan, L. Belli, Wojciech G Polak, Thomas Berg, M. Berenguer","doi":"10.3389/frtra.2023.1332616","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frtra.2023.1332616","url":null,"abstract":"Despite the WHO's report of 24 available SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, limited data exist regarding vaccination policies for liver transplant (LT) patients. To address this, we conducted a global multi-society survey (EASL-ESOT-ELITA-ILTS) in LT centers.A digital questionnaire assessing vaccine policies, safety, efficacy, and center data was administered online to LT centers.Out of 168 responding centers, 46.4%, 28%, 13.1%, 10.7%, and 1.8% were from European, American, Western Pacific, Southeast Asian, and Eastern Mediterranean Regions. Most LT centers prioritized COVID-19 vaccine access for LT patients (76%) and healthcare workers (86%), while other categories had lower priority (30%). One-third of responders recommended mRNA vaccine exclusively, while booster doses were widely recommended (81%). One-third conducted post-vaccine liver function tests post COVID-19 vaccine. Only 16% of centers modified immunosuppression, and mycophenolate discontinuation or modification was the main approach. Side effects were seen in 1 in 1,000 vaccinated patients, with thromboembolism, acute rejection, and allergic reaction being the most severe. mRNA showed fewer side effects (−3.1, p = 0.002).COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses were widely used among LT recipients and healthcare workers, without a specific vaccine preference. Preventative immunosuppression adjustment post-vaccination was uncommon. mRNA vaccines demonstrated a favorable safety profile in this population.","PeriodicalId":483606,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Transplantation","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139613255","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pitchaphon Nissaisorakarn, Paul K. Fadakar, K. Safa, Andrew L. Lundquist, Cristian V. Riella, L. Riella
{"title":"A pragmatic approach to selective genetic testing in kidney transplant candidates","authors":"Pitchaphon Nissaisorakarn, Paul K. Fadakar, K. Safa, Andrew L. Lundquist, Cristian V. Riella, L. Riella","doi":"10.3389/frtra.2023.1342471","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frtra.2023.1342471","url":null,"abstract":"Advances in the field of genetic testing have spurred its use in transplantation. Potential benefits of genetic testing in transplant nephrology include diagnosis, treatment, risk stratification of recurrent disease, and risk stratification in potential donors. However, it is unclear how to best apply genetic testing in this population to maximize its yield. We describe our transplant center's approach to selective genetic testing as part of kidney transplant candidate and donor evaluation.Transplant recipient candidates were tested if they had a history of ESRD at age <50, primary FSGS, complement-mediated or unknown etiology of kidney disease, or had a family history of kidney disease. Donors were tested if age <35, were related to their potential recipients with known genetic susceptibility or had a first-degree relative with a history of kidney disease of unknown etiology. A targeted NGS gene panel of 385 genes was used. Clinical implications and downstream effects were monitored.Over 30% of recipients tested within the established criteria were positive for a pathogenic variant. The most common pathogenic variants were APOL1 high-risk genotypes as well as collagen 4-alpha-3, -4 and -5. Donor testing done according to our inclusion criteria resulted in about 12% yield. Positive test results in recipients helped with stratification of the risk of recurrent disease. Positive test results in potential donors guided informed decisions on when not to move forward with a donation.Integrating targeted panel genetic testing into a kidney transplant clinic in conjunction with a selective criteria for testing donors and recipients ensured a reasonable diagnostic yield. The results had implications on clinical management, risk stratification and in some cases were instrumental in directing downstream changes including when to stop the evaluation process. Given the impact on management and transplant decisions, we advocate for the widespread use of genetic testing in selected individuals undergoing transplant evaluation and donation who meet pre-defined criteria.","PeriodicalId":483606,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Transplantation","volume":" 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139620348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kentaro Noda, Mark E. Snyder, Qingyong Xu, David Peters, J. McDyer, A. Zeevi, Pablo G. Sanchez
{"title":"Single center study investigating the clinical association of donor-derived cell-free DNA with acute outcomes in lung transplantation","authors":"Kentaro Noda, Mark E. Snyder, Qingyong Xu, David Peters, J. McDyer, A. Zeevi, Pablo G. Sanchez","doi":"10.3389/frtra.2023.1339814","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frtra.2023.1339814","url":null,"abstract":"Circulating donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) levels have been proposed as a potential tool for the diagnosis of graft injury. In this study, we prospectively investigated dd-cfDNA plasma levels and their association with severe primary graft dysfunction (PGD) and graft rejection after lung transplant.A total of 40 subjects undergoing de-novo lung transplants at our institution were recruited in this study. Blood samples were collected at various time points before and after lung transplant for 1 year. Dd-cfDNA in samples was determined using AlloSure assay (CareDx Inc.). The correlation of the value of %dd-cfDNA was investigated with the incidence of PGD, acute cellular rejection (ACR), and donor-specific antibody.We observed a rapid increase of %dd-cfDNA in the blood of recipients after lung transplantation compared to baseline. The levels of dd-cfDNA decreased during the first two weeks. The peak was observed within 72 h after transplantation. The peak values of %dd-cfDNA varied among subjects and did not correlate with severe PGD incidence. We observed an association between levels of %dd-cfDNA from blood collected at the time of transbronchial biopsy and the histological diagnosis of ACR at 3 weeks.Our data show that circulating dd-cfDNA levels are associated with ACR early after transplantation but not with severe PGD. Plasma levels of dd-cfDNA may be a less invasive tool to estimate graft rejection after lung transplantation however larger studies are still necessary to better identify thresholds.","PeriodicalId":483606,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Transplantation","volume":"26 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139438651","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Friederike Martin, Yao Xiao, Vanessa Welten, Keita Nakamori, Merih Gizlenci, Hao Zhou, Stefan G. Tullius
{"title":"The combinatorial effect of age and biological sex on alloimmunity and transplantation outcome","authors":"Friederike Martin, Yao Xiao, Vanessa Welten, Keita Nakamori, Merih Gizlenci, Hao Zhou, Stefan G. Tullius","doi":"10.3389/frtra.2023.1325232","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frtra.2023.1325232","url":null,"abstract":"Both age and biological sex affect transplantation outcomes. We have recently shown in a large volume clinical analysis utilizing the SRTR data that graft survival is inferior in young female kidney transplant recipients. In this multi-factorial analysis, older female recipients presented with a trend towards improved transplant outcomes compared to both young female recipients and male recipients of any age. Those data supported by reports of those of others suggest that sex and age impact alloimmune responses both, individually and synergistically. Biological sex and hormone levels change throughout a lifetime with recognized effects on longevity in addition to an impact on the development and course of several disease preconditions. Detailed mechanisms of those sex and age-specific aspects have thus far been studied outside of transplantation. Effects on alloimmunity are largely unknown. Moreover, the combinatorial impact that both, biological sex and age have on transplant outcomes is not understood. Here, we summarize available data that analyze how age in combination with biological sex may shape alloimmune responses and affect transplant outcomes.","PeriodicalId":483606,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Transplantation","volume":"53 31","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139442019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Juan M Munoz Pena, Kimberly Algarra, Hannah Kennedy, Man Chong Leong, R. Salloum
{"title":"Feasibility and performance of continuous glucose monitoring in hyperglycemia after lung transplantation","authors":"Juan M Munoz Pena, Kimberly Algarra, Hannah Kennedy, Man Chong Leong, R. Salloum","doi":"10.3389/frtra.2023.1282215","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frtra.2023.1282215","url":null,"abstract":"Post-Transplant Diabetes Mellitus (PTDM) affects 20%–40% of lung transplant recipients within five years, impacting rejection, infection, cardiovascular events, and mortality. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is used in diabetes but not well-studied in PTDM.This study assessed CGM performance in detecting hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia post-lung transplantation, compared to self-monitoring blood glucose.A prospective pilot study included 15 lung transplant patients (mean age 58.6 years; 53.3% men; 73.3% with pre-transplantation diabetes) managing hyperglycemia with insulin. Patients used a blinded CGM and self-monitored glucose for ten days. Data were categorized (% time in range, % high, % very high, % low, % very low) and compared using paired t-tests.CGM showed superior hyperglycemia detection. Mean differences for “% very high”, “% high”, and “% high and % very high” were 7.12 (95% CI, 1.8–12.4), 11.1 (95% CI, 3.5–18.8), and 18.3 (95% CI: 7.37–29.24), respectively. No significant difference was found for “% low and % very low”. All patients reported a positive CGM experience.CGM use post-lung transplantation seems feasible and offers advantages in detecting hyperglycemia and in optimizing glucose management. Study limitations include a small sample size, requiring larger studies to assess glycemic control, hypoglycemia detection, and transplant outcomes.","PeriodicalId":483606,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Transplantation","volume":"5 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139386809","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Çağdaş Duru, Felor Biniazan, Nina Hadzimustafic, Andrew D'Elia, Valentina Shamoun, S. Haykal
{"title":"Review of machine perfusion studies in vascularized composite allotransplant preservation","authors":"Çağdaş Duru, Felor Biniazan, Nina Hadzimustafic, Andrew D'Elia, Valentina Shamoun, S. Haykal","doi":"10.3389/frtra.2023.1323387","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frtra.2023.1323387","url":null,"abstract":"The applications of Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) are increasing since the first successful hand transplantation in 1998. However, the abundance of muscle tissue makes VCA's vulnerable to ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), which has detrimental effects on the outcome of the procedure, restricting allowable donor-to-recipient time and limiting its widespread use. The current clinical method is Static cold storage (SCS) and this allows only 6 h before irreversible damage occurs upon reperfusion. In order to overcome this obstacle, the focus of research has been shifted towards the prospect of ex-vivo perfusion preservation which already has an established clinical role in solid organ transplants especially in the last decade. In this comprehensive qualitative review, we compile the literature on all VCA machine perfusion models and we aim to highlight the essentials of an ex vivo perfusion set-up, the different strategies, and their associated outcomes.","PeriodicalId":483606,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Transplantation","volume":"106 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138958643","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wenbin Yang, Emilia Lecuona, Qiang Wu, Xianpeng Liu, Haiying Sun, Hasan Alam, Satish N. Nadig, Ankit Bharat
{"title":"The role of lung-restricted autoantibodies in the development of primary and chronic graft dysfunction","authors":"Wenbin Yang, Emilia Lecuona, Qiang Wu, Xianpeng Liu, Haiying Sun, Hasan Alam, Satish N. Nadig, Ankit Bharat","doi":"10.3389/frtra.2023.1237671","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frtra.2023.1237671","url":null,"abstract":"Lung transplantation is a life-saving treatment for both chronic end-stage lung diseases and acute respiratory distress syndrome, including those caused by infectious agents like COVID-19. Despite its increasing utilization, outcomes post-lung transplantation are worse than other solid organ transplants. Primary graft dysfunction (PGD)—a condition affecting more than half of the recipients post-transplantation—is the chief risk factor for post-operative mortality, transplant-associated multi-organ dysfunction, and long-term graft loss due to chronic rejection. While donor-specific antibodies targeting allogenic human leukocyte antigens have been linked to transplant rejection, the role of recipient's pre-existing immunoglobulin G autoantibodies against lung-restricted self-antigens (LRA), like collagen type V and k-alpha1 tubulin, is less understood in the context of lung transplantation. Recent studies have found an increased risk of PGD development in lung transplant recipients with LRA. This review will synthesize past and ongoing research—utilizing both mouse models and human subjects—aimed at unraveling the mechanisms by which LRA heightens the risk of PGD. Furthermore, it will explore prospective approaches designed to mitigate the impact of LRA on lung transplant patients.","PeriodicalId":483606,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Transplantation","volume":" 25","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135291922","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shilei Xu, Sebastian Dolff, Nils Mülling, Hagen S. Bachmann, Yang Dai, Monika Lindemann, Ming Sun, Oliver Witzke, Andreas Kribben, Benjamin Wilde
{"title":"Farnesyltransferase-inhibitors exert in vitro immunosuppressive capacity by inhibiting human B-cells","authors":"Shilei Xu, Sebastian Dolff, Nils Mülling, Hagen S. Bachmann, Yang Dai, Monika Lindemann, Ming Sun, Oliver Witzke, Andreas Kribben, Benjamin Wilde","doi":"10.3389/frtra.2023.1233322","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frtra.2023.1233322","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTI), which inhibit the prenylation of Ras GTPases, were developed as anti-cancer drugs. As additional target proteins for prenylation were identified in the past, it is likely that FTI have potential value for therapeutic purposes beyond cancer. The effect of FTI on B-cells remains unclear. To address this issue, we investigated the effects of in vitro FTI treatment on effector and regulatory B-cells in healthy controls and renal transplant patients. Methods For this purpose, B-cells were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy controls and renal transplant patients. Purified B-cells were stimulated via Toll-like-receptor 9 (TLR-9) in the presence or absence of FTI. Regulatory functions, such as IL-10 and Granzyme B (GrB) secretion, were assessed by flow cytometry. In addition, effector B-cell functions, such as plasma cell formation and IgG secretion, were studied. Results The two FTI Lonafarnib and tipifarnib both suppressed TLR-9-induced B-cell proliferation. Maturation of IL-10 producing B-cells was suppressed by FTI at high concentrations as well as induction of GrB-secreting B-cells. Plasma blast formation and IgG secretion were potently suppressed by FTI. Moreover, purified B-cells from immunosuppressed renal transplant patients were also susceptible to FTI-induced suppression of effector functions, evidenced by diminished IgG secretion. Conclusion FTI suppress in vitro B-cell proliferation and plasma cell formation while partially preserving IL-10 as well as GrB production of B-cells. Thus, FTI may have immunosuppressive capacity encouraging further studies to investigate the potential immunomodulatory value of this agent.","PeriodicalId":483606,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Transplantation","volume":" 11","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135293351","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Luis Secanella, Felipe Alconchel, Javier López-Monclús, Enrique Toledo-Martínez, Oriana Barrios, Pablo Ramírez, Manuel Cecilio Jiménez-Garrido, Juan Carlos Rodríguez-Sanjuán, Mario Royo-Villanova, Gabriel Moreno-González, Laura Lladó
{"title":"Outcomes of liver transplantation with thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion: a matched-controlled initial experience in Spain","authors":"Luis Secanella, Felipe Alconchel, Javier López-Monclús, Enrique Toledo-Martínez, Oriana Barrios, Pablo Ramírez, Manuel Cecilio Jiménez-Garrido, Juan Carlos Rodríguez-Sanjuán, Mario Royo-Villanova, Gabriel Moreno-González, Laura Lladó","doi":"10.3389/frtra.2023.1280454","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frtra.2023.1280454","url":null,"abstract":"Thoracoabdominal (TA) normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) should allow the safe recovery of heart and liver grafts simultaneously in the context of controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD). We present the initial results of cDCD liver transplantation with simultaneous liver and heart procurement in Spain until October 2021. Outcomes were compared with a matched cohort of cDCD with abdominal NRP (A-NRP) from participating institutions. Primary endpoints comprised early allograft dysfunction (EAD) or primary non-function (PNF), and the development of ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBL). Six transplants were performed using cDCD with TA-NRP during the study period. Donors were significantly younger in the TA-NRP group than in the A-NRP group (median 45.6 years and 62.9 years respectively, p = 0.011), with a median functional warm ischemia time of 12.5 min in the study group and 13 min in the control group. Patient characteristics, procurement times, and surgical baseline characteristics did not differ significantly between groups. No patient in the study group developed EAD or PNF, and over a median follow-up of 9.8 months, none developed ITBL or graft loss. Extending A-NRP to TA-NRP for cardiac procurement may be technically challenging, but it is both feasible and safe, showing comparable postoperative outcomes to A-NRP.","PeriodicalId":483606,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Transplantation","volume":"33 3-4","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135270689","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}