Mitochondrial DNA Stimulates TLR9-Dependent Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation in Primary Graft Dysfunction.

The immune system is designed to robustly respond to pathogenic stimuli but to be tolerant to endogenous ligands to not trigger autoimmunity. Here, we studied an endogenous damage-associated molecular pattern, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), during primary graft dysfunction (PGD) after lung transplantation. We hypothesized that cell-free mtDNA released during lung ischemia-reperfusion triggers neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation via TLR9 signaling. We found that mtDNA increases in the BAL fluid of experimental PGD (prolonged cold ischemia followed by orthotopic lung transplantation) and not in control transplants with minimal warm ischemia. The adoptive transfer of mtDNA into the minimal warm ischemia graft immediately before lung anastomosis induces NET formation and lung injury. TLR9 deficiency in neutrophils prevents mtDNA-induced NETs, and TLR9 deficiency in either the lung donor or recipient decreases NET formation and lung injury in the PGD model. Compared with human lung transplant recipients without PGD, severe PGD was associated with high levels of BAL mtDNA and NETs, with evidence of relative deficiency in DNaseI. We conclude that mtDNA released during lung ischemia-reperfusion triggers TLR9-dependent NET formation and drives lung injury. In PGD, DNaseI therapy has a potential dual benefit of neutralizing a major NET trigger (mtDNA) in addition to dismantling pathogenic NETs.

BOLA (BolA Family Member 3) Deficiency Controls Endothelial Metabolism and Glycine Homeostasis in Pulmonary Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Deficiencies of iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters, metal complexes that control redox state and mitochondrial metabolism, have been linked to pulmonary hypertension (PH), a deadly vascular disease with poorly defined molecular origins. BOLA3 (BolA Family Member 3) regulates Fe-S biogenesis, and mutations in BOLA3 result in multiple mitochondrial dysfunction syndrome, a fatal disorder associated with PH. The mechanistic role of BOLA3 in PH remains undefined. METHODS: In vitro assessment of BOLA3 regulation and gain- and loss-of-function assays were performed in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells using siRNA and lentiviral vectors expressing the mitochondrial isoform of BOLA3. Polymeric nanoparticle 7C1 was used for lung endothelium-specific delivery of BOLA3 siRNA oligonucleotides in mice. Overexpression of pulmonary vascular BOLA3 was performed by orotracheal transgene delivery of adeno-associated virus in mouse models of PH. RESULTS: In cultured hypoxic pulmonary artery endothelial cells, lung from human patients with Group 1 and 3 PH, and multiple rodent models of PH, endothelial BOLA3 expression was downregulated, which involved hypoxia inducible factor-2α-dependent transcriptional repression via histone deacetylase 1-mediated histone deacetylation. In vitro gain- and loss-of-function studies demonstrated that BOLA3 regulated Fe-S integrity, thus modulating lipoate-containing 2-oxoacid dehydrogenases with consequent control over glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration. In contexts of siRNA knockdown and naturally occurring human genetic mutation, cellular BOLA3 deficiency downregulated the glycine cleavage system protein H, thus bolstering intracellular glycine content. In the setting of these alterations of oxidative metabolism and glycine levels, BOLA3 deficiency increased endothelial proliferation, survival, and vasoconstriction while decreasing angiogenic potential. In vivo, pharmacological knockdown of endothelial BOLA3 and targeted overexpression of BOLA3 in mice demonstrated that BOLA3 deficiency promotes histological and hemodynamic manifestations of PH. Notably, the therapeutic effects of BOLA3 expression were reversed by exogenous glycine supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: BOLA3 acts as a crucial lynchpin connecting Fe-S-dependent oxidative respiration and glycine homeostasis with endothelial metabolic reprogramming critical to PH pathogenesis. These results provide a molecular explanation for the clinical associations linking PH with hyperglycinemic syndromes and mitochondrial disorders. These findings also identify novel metabolic targets, including those involved in epigenetics, Fe-S biogenesis, and glycine biology, for diagnostic and therapeutic development.

Voriconazole increases the risk for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma after lung transplantation.

Lung transplant recipients (LTR) are at high risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Voriconazole exposure after lung transplant has recently been reported as a risk factor for SCC. We sought to study the relationship between fungal prophylaxis with voriconazole and the risk of SCC in sequential cohorts from a single center. We evaluated 400 adult LTR at UCLA between 7/1/2005 and 12/22/2012. On 7/1/2009, our center instituted a protocol switch from targeted to universal antifungal prophylaxis for at least 6 months post-transplant. Using Cox proportional hazards models, time to SCC was compared between targeted (N = 199) and universal (N = 201) prophylaxis cohorts. Cox models were also used to assess SCC risk as a function of time-dependent cumulative exposure to voriconazole and other antifungal agents. The risk of SCC was greater in the universal prophylaxis cohort (HR 2.02, P < 0.01). Voriconazole exposure was greater in the universal prophylaxis cohort, and the cumulative exposure to voriconazole was associated with SCC (HR 1.75, P < 0.01), even after adjustment for other important SCC risk factors. Voriconazole did not increase the risk of advanced tumors. Exposure to other antifungal agents was not associated with SCC. Voriconazole should be used cautiously in this population.

Neutrophil extracellular traps are pathogenic in primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation.

RATIONALE: Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) causes early mortality after lung transplantation and may contribute to late graft failure. No effective treatments exist. The pathogenesis of PGD is unclear, although both neutrophils and activated platelets have been implicated. We hypothesized that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) contribute to lung injury in PGD in a platelet-dependent manner. OBJECTIVES: To study NETs in experimental models of PGD and in lung transplant patients. METHODS: Two experimental murine PGD models were studied: hilar clamp and orthotopic lung transplantation after prolonged cold ischemia (OLT-PCI). NETs were assessed by immunofluorescence microscopy and ELISA. Platelet activation was inhibited with aspirin, and NETs were disrupted with DNaseI. NETs were also measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and plasma from lung transplant patients with and without PGD. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: NETs were increased after either hilar clamp or OLT-PCI compared with surgical control subjects. Activation and intrapulmonary accumulation of platelets were increased in OLT-PCI, and platelet inhibition reduced NETs and lung injury, and improved oxygenation. Disruption of NETs by intrabronchial administration of DNaseI also reduced lung injury and improved oxygenation. In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from human lung transplant recipients, NETs were more abundant in patients with PGD. CONCLUSIONS: NETs accumulate in the lung in both experimental and clinical PGD. In experimental PGD, NET formation is platelet-dependent, and disruption of NETs with DNaseI reduces lung injury. These data are the first description of a pathogenic role for NETs in solid organ transplantation and suggest that NETs are a promising therapeutic target in PGD.

Changes in right heart haemodynamics and echocardiographic function in an advanced phenotype of pulmonary hypertension and right heart dysfunction associated with pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH)-targeted therapy in the setting of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is controversial; the main clinical concern is worsening of systemic hypoxaemia. We sought to determine the effects of gentle initiation and chronic administration of parenteral treprostinil on right heart function in patients with PF associated with an advanced PH phenotype. METHODS: Open-label, prospective analysis of patients with PF-PH referred for lung transplantation (LT). Advanced PH was defined as mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) ≥35 mm Hg. We compared haemodynamics, Doppler echocardiography (DE), oxygenation, dyspnoea and quality of life indices, and 6 min walk distance (6MWD) before and 12 weeks after parenteral treprostinil. RESULTS: 15 patients were recruited in the study. After therapy, there were significant improvements in right heart haemodynamics (right atrial pressure (9.5 ± 3.4 vs 6.0 ± 3.7); mPAP (47 ± 8 vs 38.9 ± 13.4); CI (2.3 ± 0.5 vs 2.7 ± 0.6); pulmonary vascular resistance (698 ± 278 vs 496 ± 229); transpulmonary gradient (34.7 ± 8.7 vs 28.5 ± 10.3); mvO2 (65 ± 7.2 vs 70.9 ± 7.4); and stroke volume index (29.2 ± 6.7 vs 33 ± 7.3)) and DE parameters reflecting right heart function (right ventricular (RV) end diastolic area (36.4 ± 5.2 vs 30.9 ± 8.2 cm(2)), left ventricular eccentricity index (1.7 ± 0.6 vs 1.3 ± 0.5), tricuspid annular planar systolic excursion (1.6 ± 0.5 vs 1.9 ± 0.2 cm)). These changes occurred without significant alteration in systemic oxygenation, heart rate, or mean systemic arterial pressure. In addition, improvements were seen in 6MWD (171 ± 93 vs 230 ± 114), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Mental Component Summary aggregate (38 ± 11 vs 44.2 ± 10.7), University of California, San Diego Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (87 ± 17.1 vs 73.1 ± 21), and brain natriuretic peptide (558 ± 859 vs 228 ± 340). CONCLUSIONS: PH-targeted therapy may improve right heart haemodynamics and echocardiographic function without affecting systemic oxygen saturation in an advanced PH phenotype associated with RV dysfunction in the setting of PF.

CXCR3 ligands are associated with the continuum of diffuse alveolar damage to chronic lung allograft dysfunction.

RATIONALE: After lung transplantation, insults to the allograft generally result in one of four histopathologic patterns of injury: (1) acute rejection, (2) lymphocytic bronchiolitis, (3) organizing pneumonia, and (4) diffuse alveolar damage (DAD). We hypothesized that DAD, the most severe form of acute lung injury, would lead to the highest risk of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) and that a type I immune response would mediate this process. OBJECTIVES: Determine whether DAD is associated with CLAD and explore the potential role of CXCR3/ligand biology. METHODS: Transbronchial biopsies from all lung transplant recipients were reviewed. The association between the four injury patterns and subsequent outcomes were evaluated using proportional hazards models with time-dependent covariates. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) concentrations of the CXCR3 ligands (CXCL9/MIG, CXCL10/IP10, and CXCL11/ITAC) were compared between allograft injury patterns and "healthy" biopsies using linear mixed-effects models. The effect of these chemokine alterations on CLAD risk was assessed using Cox models with serial BAL measurements as time-dependent covariates. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were 1,585 biopsies from 441 recipients with 62 episodes of DAD. An episode of DAD was associated with increased risk of CLAD (hazard ratio, 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.9-4.7) and death (hazard ratio, 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-3.0). There were marked elevations in BAL CXCR3 ligand concentrations during DAD. Furthermore, prolonged elevation of these chemokines in serial BAL fluid measurements predicted the development of CLAD. CONCLUSIONS: DAD is associated with marked increases in the risk of CLAD and death after lung transplantation. This association may be mediated in part by an aberrant type I immune response involving CXCR3/ligands.

Interaction between Pseudomonas and CXC chemokines increases risk of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome and death in lung transplantation.

RATIONALE: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most commonly isolated gram-negative bacterium after lung transplantation and has been shown to up-regulate glutamic acid-leucine-arginine-positive (ELR(+)) CXC chemokines associated with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), but the effect of pseudomonas on BOS and death has not been well defined. OBJECTIVES: To determine if the influence of pseudomonas isolation and ELR(+) CXC chemokines on the subsequent development of BOS and the occurrence of death is time dependent. METHODS: A three-state model was developed to assess the likelihood of transitioning from lung transplant (state 1) to BOS (state 2), from transplant (state 1) to death (state 3), and from BOS (state 2) to death (state 3). This Cox semi-Markovian approach determines state survival rates and cause-specific hazards for movement from one state to another. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The likelihood of transition from transplant to BOS was increased by acute rejection, CXCL5, and the interaction between pseudomonas and CXCL1. The pseudomonas effect in this transition was due to infection rather than colonization. Movement from transplant to death was facilitated by pseudomonas infection and single lung transplant. Transition from BOS to death was affected by the length of time in state 1 and by the interactions between any pseudomonas isolation and CXCL5 and aspergillus, either independently or in combination. CONCLUSIONS: Our model demonstrates that common post-transplantation events drive movement from one post-transplantation state to another and influence outcomes differently depending upon when after transplantation they occur. Pseudomonas and the ELR(+) CXC chemokines may interact to negatively influence lung transplant outcomes.

Chemical Solution Deposition of Protective Er2O3 and Y2O3 Coatings onto Stainless Steel for Molten Metal Casting using Metal-Nitrate Precursors.

Chemical solution deposition (CSD) methods involving the thermal decomposition of 5.0 M Er(NO3)3·5H2O and Y(NO3)3·6H2O precursor solutions were employed to fabricate protective erbia and yttria coatings onto stainless steel (SS304/SS316) coupons. The two techniques tested were dip and spray coating, which were then compared to a commercial yttria spray (ZYP Coatings). It was determined that solution concentration, solvent choice, injection of Er2O3 and Y2O3 micropowder, and the annealing temperature/ramp profile were critical to the coatings' physical properties. For dip coatings, thicknesses were 1-20 µm after two dipping/annealing cycles, and adhesion strength was ∼1000 psi, increasing up to ∼1300 psi if the SS coupons had preliminary sandblasting. Spray coatings from precursor solutions were reported to have thicknesses of 20-80 µm and adhesion strength less than 500 psi (regardless of the coupon surface finish). Cross-sectional views of the coatings confirmed subsurface porosity, and XRD results indicated that the coatings were polycrystalline, with patterns typical to that of cubic Er2O3 and Y2O3.

Clinical Validation of a Plasma Donor-derived Cell-free DNA Assay to Detect Allograft Rejection and Injury in Lung Transplant.

Background: Lung transplant patients are vulnerable to various forms of allograft injury, whether from acute rejection (AR) (encompassing acute cellular rejection [ACR] and antibody-mediated rejection [AMR]), chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD), or infection (INFXN). Previous research indicates that donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is a promising noninvasive biomarker for the detection of AR and allograft injury. Our aim was to validate a clinical plasma dd-cfDNA assay for detection of AR and other allograft injury and to confirm and expand on dd-cfDNA and allograft injury associations observed in previous studies. Methods: We measured dd-cfDNA fraction using a novel single-nucleotide polymorphism-based assay in prospectively collected plasma samples paired with clinical-pathologic diagnoses. dd-cfDNA fraction was compared across clinical-pathologic cohorts: stable, ACR, AMR, isolated lymphocytic bronchiolitis, CLAD/neutrophilic-responsive allograft dysfunction (NRAD), and INFXN. Performance characteristics were calculated for AR and combined allograft injury (AR + CLAD/NRAD + INFXN) versus the stable cohort. Results: The study included 195 samples from 103 patients. Median dd-cfDNA fraction was significantly higher for ACR (1.43%, interquartile range [IQR]: 0.67%-2.32%, P = 5 × 10-6), AMR (2.50%, IQR: 2.06%-3.79%, P = 2 × 10-5), INFXN (0.74%, IQR: 0.46%-1.38%, P = 0.02), and CLAD/NRAD (1.60%, IQR: 0.57%-2.60%, P = 1.4 × 10-4) versus the stable cohort. Area under the receiver operator characteristic curve for AR versus stable was 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.83-0.98). Using a ≥1% dd-cfDNA fraction threshold, sensitivity for AR was 89.1% (95% CI: 76.2%-100.0%), specificity 82.9% (95% CI: 73.3%-92.4%), positive predictive value, 51.9% (95% CI: 37.5%-66.3%), and negative predictive value, 97.3% (95% CI: 94.3%-100%). For combined allograft injury area under the receiver operator characteristic curve was 0.76 (95% CI: 0.66-0.85), sensitivity 59.9% (95% CI: 46.0%-73.9%), specificity 83.9% (95% CI: 74.1%-93.7%), positive predictive value, 43.6% (95% CI: 27.6%-59.6%), and negative predictive value, 91.0% (95% CI: 87.9%-94.0%). Conclusions: These results indicate that our dd-cfDNA assay detects AR and other allograft injury. dd-cfDNA monitoring, accompanied by standard clinical assessments, represents a valuable precision tool to support lung transplant health and is appropriate for further assessment in a prospective randomized-controlled study.

Donor-derived, cell-free DNA levels by next-generation targeted sequencing are elevated in allograft rejection after lung transplantation.

Surveillance after lung transplantation is critical to the detection of acute cellular rejection (ACR) and prevention of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). Therefore, we measured donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) implementing a clinical-grade, next-generation targeted sequencing assay in 107 plasma samples from 38 unique lung transplantation recipients with diagnostic cohorts classified as: (1) biopsy-confirmed or treated ACR, (2) antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), (3) obstructive CLAD, (4) allograft infection (INFXN) and (5) Stable healthy allografts (STABLE). Our principal findings are as follows: (1) dd-cfDNA level was elevated in ACR (median 0.91%; interquartile range (IQR): 0.39-2.07%), CLAD (2.06%; IQR: 0.57-3.67%) and an aggregated cohort of rejection encompassing allograft injury (1.06%; IQR: 0.38-2.51%), compared with the STABLE cohort (0.38%; IQR: 0.23-0.87%) (p=0.02); (2) dd-cfDNA level with AMR was elevated (1.34%; IQR: 0.34-2.40%) compared to STABLE, although it did not reach statistical significance (p=0.07) due to limitations in sample size; (3) there was no difference in dd-cfDNA for allograft INFXN (0.39%; IQR: 0.18-0.67%) versus STABLE, which may relate to differences in "tissue injury" with the spectrum of bronchial colonisation versus invasive infection; (4) there was no difference for dd-cfDNA in unilateral versus bilateral lung transplantation; (5) "optimal threshold" for dd-cfDNA for aggregated rejection events representing allograft injury was determined as 0.85%, with sensitivity=55.6%, specificity=75.8%, positive predictive value (PPV)=43.3% and negative predictive value (NPV)=83.6%. Measurement of plasma dd-cfDNA may be a clinically useful tool for the assessment of lung allograft health and surveillance for "tissue injury" with a spectrum of rejection.

Significance of autoimmune disease in severe pulmonary hypertension complicating extensive pulmonary fibrosis: a prospective cohort study.

The association of autoimmune disease (AI) with transplant-free survival in the setting of severe Group 3 pulmonary hypertension and extensive pulmonary fibrosis remains unclear. We report cases of severe pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥35 mmHg and right ventricular dysfunction) and extensive pulmonary fibrosis after pulmonary arterial hypertension-specific therapy. We used multivariate regression to determine the clinical variables associated with transplant-free survival. Of 286 screened patients, 55 demonstrated severe pulmonary hypertension and extensive pulmonary fibrosis and were treated with parenteral prostacyclin therapy. The (+)AI subgroup (n = 34), when compared to the (-)AI subgroup (n = 21), was more likely to be female (77% versus 19%) and younger (58.7 ± 12.1 versus 66.0 ± 10.7 years), and revealed lower forced vital capacity (absolute) (1.9 ± 0.7 versus 2.9 ± 1.1 L), higher DLCO (% predicted) (31.1 ± 15.2 versus 23.2 ± 8.0), and increased unadjusted transplant-free survival (1 year (84.6 ± 6.3% versus 45 ± 11.1%)), 3 years (71 ± 8.2% versus 28.6 ± 11.9%), and 5 years (47.6 ± 9.6% versus 6.4 ± 8.2%); (p = 0.01)). Transplant-free survival was unchanged after adjusting for age and gender. The pulmonary hemodynamic profiles improved after parenteral prostacyclin therapy, independent of AI status. The baseline variables associated with mortality included age at pulmonary hypertension diagnosis (heart rate (HR) 1.23 (confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.47); p = 0.02) and presence of AI (HR 0.26 (confidence interval (CI) 0.10-0.70); p < 0.01). Gas exchange was not adversely affected by parenteral prostacyclin therapy. In the setting of severe Group 3 pulmonary hypertension and extensive pulmonary fibrosis treated with pulmonary arterial hypertension-specific therapy, AI is independently associated with increased transplant-free survival. Pulmonary hypertension/pulmonary fibrosis associated with AI should be considered in future clinical trials of pulmonary arterial hypertension-specific therapy in Group 3 pulmonary hypertension.

Plasma Donor-derived Cell-free DNA Levels Are Increased During Acute Cellular Rejection After Lung Transplant: Pilot Data.

Telehealth platforms with remote phlebotomy and biomarker implementation represent a novel paradigm for surveillance after lung transplantation (LT). In a pilot study, we investigated donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) in plasma using a clinical-grade "next-generation sequencing" assay. METHODS: dd-cfDNA levels determined in biorepository venous plasma samples obtained during the lung allograft rejection gene expression observation study, implementing a clinical-grade next-generation sequencing assay. Sixty-nine unique LT patients encompassing 9 LT centers, with associated clinical-histopathologic diagnoses, were examined-allograft infection (n = 26), normal histopathology without infection (n = 30), and acute cellular rejection (ACR; n = 13). RESULTS: dd-cfDNA in ACR patients were significantly elevated (1.52%; interquartile range [IQR], 0.520-2.2550) compared with the normal stable patients (0.485%; IQR, 0.220-0.790) (P = 0.026). During allograft infection, dd-cfDNA values were not different (0.595; IQR, 0.270-1.170) from normal (P = 0.282) and ACR (P = 0.100). AUC-receiver operator characteristics curve analysis for allograft ACR was 0.717 (95% confidence interval, 0.547-0.887; P = 0.025). At a 0.87% threshold dd-cfDNA-sensitivity = 73.1%, specificity = 52.9%, positive predictive value = 34.1%, and negative predictive value = 85.5%. CONCLUSIONS: dd-cfDNA assessment holds promise as a noninvasive biomarker of "allograft injury" with acute rejection following LT while prospective, multicenter studies should further refine utility across the spectrum of allograft rejection and infection.

Remote monitoring using donor-derived, cell-free DNA after kidney transplantation during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Donor-derived, cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) level correlates with allograft injury with clinical validity and utility for quiescence and active acute rejection (AR) in kidney transplant recipients. We analyzed trends in dd-cfDNA level immediately preceding and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with implemented "shelter in place" and a tele-health strategy with remote home phlebotomy to limit COVID-19 exposure. METHODS: During COVID-19 in the United States (US), we surveyed weekly (January 6, 2020-May 25, 2020) metrics for dd-cfDNA corresponding to both a low risk for active rejection (dd-cfDNA < 0.5%) and cohorts with indeterminate levels of 0.5% to 1.0% and > 1.0%. During the study timeframe, over 11,000 patient samples (67%) from 150 kidney transplantation centers were transitioned from standard facility-based to remote phlebotomy. RESULTS: The proportion of dd-cfDNA samples, analyzed in 21 weekly aggregated cohorts by risk-stratification category, was unchanged during the COVID-19 escalation in the US. Linearized slopes for numbers of samples corresponding to indeterminate risk for AR cohorts of > 1.0% and 0.5% to 1.0% were -0.31 and -0.12, respectively; indicating that prevalence of these "at risk for AR cohorts" decreased during remote surveillance. Approximately 73% of samples corresponded to low risk of AR (dd-cfDNA < 0.5%), while an additional 15% of samples had dd-cfDNA level ≤ 1.0%. CONCLUSION: The combination of remote home phlebotomy including dd-cfDNA analysis and a tele-health program offer a new paradigm that may substantially improve patient compliance and assuage anxiety regarding the state of kidney allograft health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further prospective multi-center studies with robust outcomes data are warranted.

Usefulness of gene expression profiling of bronchoalveolar lavage cells in acute lung allograft rejection.

BACKGROUND: Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) is the main limitation to long-term survival after lung transplantation. Because effective therapies are lacking, early identification and mitigation of risk factors is a pragmatic approach to improve outcomes. Acute cellular rejection (ACR) is the most pervasive risk factor for CLAD, but diagnosis requires transbronchial biopsy, which carries risks. We hypothesized that gene expression in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell pellet (CP) could replace biopsy and inform on mechanisms of CLAD. METHODS: We performed RNA sequencing on BAL CPs from 219 lung transplant recipients with A-grade ACR (n = 61), lymphocytic bronchiolitis (n = 58), infection (n = 41), or no rejection/infection (n = 59). Differential gene expression was based on absolute fold difference >2.0 and Benjamini-adjusted p-value ≤0.05. We used the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery Bioinformatics Resource for pathway analyses. For classifier modeling, samples were randomly split into training (n = 154) and testing sets (n = 65). A logistic regression model using recursive feature elimination and 5-fold cross-validation was trained to optimize area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: Differential gene expression identified 72 genes. Enriched pathways included T-cell receptor signaling, natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. A 4-gene model (AUC = 0.72) and classification threshold defined in the training set exhibited fair performance in the testing set; accuracy was 76%, specificity 82%, and sensitivity 60%. In addition, classification as ACR was associated with worse CLAD-free survival (hazard ratio = 2.42; 95% confidence interval = 1.29-4.53). CONCLUSIONS: BAL CP gene expression during ACR is enriched for immune response pathways and shows promise as a diagnostic tool for ACR, especially ACR that is a precursor of CLAD.

Capillary Proliferation in Systemic-Sclerosis-Related Pulmonary Fibrosis: Association with Pulmonary Hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine if any histopathologic component of the pulmonary microcirculation can distinguish systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related pulmonary fibrosis (PF) with and without pulmonary hypertension (PH). METHODS: Two pulmonary pathologists blindly evaluated 360 histologic slides from lungs of 31 SSc-PF explants or autopsies with (n = 22) and without (n = 9) PH. The presence of abnormal small arteries, veins, and capillaries (pulmonary microcirculation) was semiquantitatively assessed in areas of preserved lung architecture. Capillary proliferation (CP) within the alveolar walls was measured by its distribution, extent (CP % involvement), and maximum number of layers (maximum CP). These measures were then evaluated to determine the strength of their association with right heart catheterization-proven PH. RESULTS: Using consensus measures, all measures of CP were significantly associated with PH. Maximum CP had the strongest association with PH (P = 0.013; C statistic 0.869). Maximum CP 2 or more layers and CP % involvement 10% or greater were the optimal thresholds that predicted PH, both with a sensitivity of 56% and specificity of 91%. The CP was typically multifocal rather than focal or diffuse and was associated with a background pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia. There was a significant but weaker relationship between the presence of abnormal small arteries and veins and PH. CONCLUSION: In the setting of advanced SSc-PF, the histopathologic feature of the pulmonary microcirculation best associated with PH was capillary proliferation in architecturally preserved lung areas.

Role of CXCR2/CXCR2 ligands in vascular remodeling during bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome.

Angiogenesis and vascular remodeling support fibroproliferative processes; however, no study has addressed the importance of angiogenesis during fibro-obliteration of the allograft airway during bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) that occurs after lung transplantation. The ELR(+) CXC chemokines both mediate neutrophil recruitment and promote angiogenesis. Their shared endothelial cell receptor is the G-coupled protein receptor CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2). We found that elevated levels of multiple ELR(+) CXC chemokines correlated with the presence of BOS. Proof-of-concept studies using a murine model of BOS not only demonstrated an early neutrophil infiltration but also marked vascular remodeling in the tracheal allografts. In addition, tracheal allograft ELR(+) CXC chemokines were persistently expressed even in the absence of significant neutrophil infiltration and were temporally associated with vascular remodeling during fibro-obliteration of the tracheal allograft. Furthermore, in neutralizing studies, treatment with anti-CXCR2 Abs inhibited early neutrophil infiltration and later vascular remodeling, which resulted in the attenuation of murine BOS. A more profound attenuation of fibro-obliteration was seen when CXCR2(-/-) mice received cyclosporin A. This supports the notion that the CXCR2/CXCR2 ligand biological axis has a bimodal function during the course of BOS: early, it is important for neutrophil recruitment and later, during fibro-obliteration, it is important for vascular remodeling independent of neutrophil recruitment.

Bronchoalveolar immunologic profile of acute human lung transplant allograft rejection.

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) offers a potential means to diagnose acute rejection and could provide insight into the immune mechanisms responsible for lung allograft rejection. Transbronchial biopsies from 29 bronchoscopic procedures were assessed for rejection. Concurrent BALF lymphocyte subsets were examined by flow cytometry, including CD4 and CD8 T cells and their activation status by CD38 expression, natural killer (NK), NK-like T (NT), B, regulatory T, and invariant receptor NK-T cells. Percentages of CD4 were reduced, and CD8 and activation of CD4 T cells correlated with rejection. There were trends for increased NT, reduced NK, and increased B cell percentages with rejection, suggesting potential roles of these cells. Among regulatory cells, the percentages of regulatory T cells decreased and CD4/CD8 invariant NK-T cells increased during rejection, suggesting a proinflammatory profile. A unique BALF lymphocyte profile was associated with rejection and may provide insight into the pathogenesis of allograft rejection.

Validation of a method to screen for pulmonary hypertension in advanced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: We have developed a method to screen for pulmonary hypertension (PH) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients, based on a formula to predict mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) from standard lung function measurements. The objective of this study was to validate this method in a separate group of IPF patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 60 IPF patients from two institutions. The accuracy of the MPAP estimation was assessed by examining the correlation between the predicted and measured MPAPs and the magnitude of the estimation error. The discriminatory ability of the method for PH was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: There was strong correlation in the expected direction between the predicted and measured MPAPs (r = 0.72; p < 0.0001). The estimated MPAP was within 5 mm Hg of the measured MPAP 72% of the time. The AUC for predicting PH was 0.85, and did not differ by institution. A formula-predicted MPAP > 21 mm Hg was associated with a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 95%, 58%, 51%, and 96%, respectively, for PH defined as MPAP from right-heart catheterization > 25 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS: A prediction formula for MPAP using standard lung function measurements can be used to screen for PH in IPF patients.

Right ventricular systolic pressure by echocardiography as a predictor of pulmonary hypertension in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

RATIONALE: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) commonly complicates the course of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). It has a significant impact on outcomes and is, therefore, important to detect. OBJECTIVES: We sought to characterize the accuracy and performance characteristics of the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) as estimated by echocardiography (ECHO) alone and in conjunction with physiologic indices in predicting the presence of PH in IPF patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of IPF patients from two large tertiary centers in whom both ECHO and right-heart catheterization (RHC) were available. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were 110 patients with available ECHOs and RHCs. Estimates of RVSP were reported in 60 of these patients (54.5%) of whom 22 (36.6%) had PH, while 16 of the 50 patients without RVSP estimate (32%) had PH. Twenty-four of 60 (40%) ECHOs accurately reflected the pulmonary arterial systolic pressure as measured by RHC. An optimal RVSP threshold for the screening of PH could not be detected. When assessed in combination with various thresholds of PFT and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) parameters, the performance characteristics of the RVSP were slightly improved. CONCLUSION: The RVSP is not an accurate test for the assessment of PH in IPF patients. Awareness of the various combinations of threshold values for RVSP with and without PFT and 6MWT might nonetheless assist clinicians in risk stratifying IPF patients for the presence of PH.

The Impact of Allograft CXCL9 during Respiratory Infection on the Risk of Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: The long term clinical significance of respiratory infections after lung transplantation remains uncertain. METHODS: In this retrospective single-center cohort study of 441 lung transplant recipients, we formally evaluate the association between respiratory infection and chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). We furthermore hypothesized that bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) CXCL9 concentrations are augmented during respiratory infections, and that episodes of infection with elevated BALF CXCL9 are associated with greater CLAD risk. RESULTS: In univariable and multivariable models adjusted for other histopathologic injury patterns, respiratory infection, regardless of the causative organism, was a strong predictor of CLAD development (adjusted HR 1.8 95% CI 1.3-2.6). Elevated BALF CXCL9 concentrations during respiratory infections markedly increased CLAD risk in a dose-response manner. An episode of respiratory infection with CXCL9 concentrations greater than the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile had adjusted HRs for CLAD of 1.8 (95% CI 1.1-2.8), 2.4 (95% CI 1.4-4.0) and 4.4 (95% CI 2.4-8.0), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, we demonstrate that respiratory infections, regardless of the causative organism, are strong predictors of CLAD development. We furthermore demonstrate for the first time, the prognostic importance of BALF CXCL9 concentrations during respiratory infections on the risk of subsequent CLAD development.