Cysteamine toxicity presenting with acute encephalopathy and spastic tetraparesis.

Cystinosis is a lysosomal storage disorder usually presenting with renal disease in infancy. As soon as the diagnosis is made, cysteamine (a cystine-depleting medication), is started, significantly improving life expectancy. We describe a young woman taking lifelong cysteamine for nephropathic cystinosis, who became acutely encephalopathic with a spastic tetraparesis secondary to cysteamine toxicity, which was potentially worsened by copper deficiency. On replacing copper and reducing the dose of cysteamine, she made a full neurological recovery. We discuss the case, and review cystinosis and what is known about cysteamine toxicity.

Effects of rare kidney diseases on kidney failure: a longitudinal analysis of the UK National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases (RaDaR) cohort.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with rare kidney diseases account for 5-10% of people with chronic kidney disease, but constitute more than 25% of patients receiving kidney replacement therapy. The National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases (RaDaR) gathers longitudinal data from patients with these conditions, which we used to study disease progression and outcomes of death and kidney failure. METHODS: People aged 0-96 years living with 28 types of rare kidney diseases were recruited from 108 UK renal care facilities. The primary outcomes were cumulative incidence of mortality and kidney failure in individuals with rare kidney diseases, which were calculated and compared with that of unselected patients with chronic kidney disease. Cumulative incidence and Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were calculated for the following outcomes: median age at kidney failure; median age at death; time from start of dialysis to death; and time from diagnosis to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) thresholds, allowing calculation of time from last eGFR of 75 mL/min per 1·73 m2 or more to first eGFR of less than 30 mL/min per 1·73 m2 (the therapeutic trial window). FINDINGS: Between Jan 18, 2010, and July 25, 2022, 27 285 participants were recruited to RaDaR. Median follow-up time from diagnosis was 9·6 years (IQR 5·9-16·7). RaDaR participants had significantly higher 5-year cumulative incidence of kidney failure than 2·81 million UK patients with all-cause chronic kidney disease (28% vs 1%; p<0·0001), but better survival rates (standardised mortality ratio 0·42 [95% CI 0·32-0·52]; p<0·0001). Median age at kidney failure, median age at death, time from start of dialysis to death, time from diagnosis to eGFR thresholds, and therapeutic trial window all varied substantially between rare diseases. INTERPRETATION: Patients with rare kidney diseases differ from the general population of individuals with chronic kidney disease: they have higher 5-year rates of kidney failure but higher survival than other patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3-5, and so are over-represented in the cohort of patients requiring kidney replacement therapy. Addressing unmet therapeutic need for patients with rare kidney diseases could have a large beneficial effect on long-term kidney replacement therapy demand. FUNDING: RaDaR is funded by the Medical Research Council, Kidney Research UK, Kidney Care UK, and the Polycystic Kidney Disease Charity.

Impact of compliance to oral cysteamine treatment on the costs of Kidney failure in patients with nephropathic cystinosis in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: Nephropathic Cystinosis (NC), a rare disease characterised by intra-lysosomal accumulation of cystine, results in progressive kidney failure (KF). Compliance to lifelong oral cysteamine, the only therapy, is often compromised. The relationship between compliance and costs of NC has not been previously formally assessed. The present study evaluates the impact of compliance on lifetime (direct) costs of treating KF in NC patients in the United Kingdom. METHODS: A three-state (KF-free, post-KF, death) partitioned survival model was developed for hypothetical 'Good Compliance' (GC) and 'Poor Compliance' (PC) cohorts. Survival in the KF-free state was determined by a published regression function of composite compliance score (CCS). The CCS is a summation of annual compliance scores (ACS) over treatment duration prior to KF. ACSs are indexed on annual (average) leukocyte cystine levels (LCL). The Poor Compliance cohort was defined to reflect NC patients in a previous study with a mean LCL of 2.35 nmols nmol half-cystine/mg protein over the study period - and an estimated mean ACS of 1.64 over a 13.4 year treatment duration. The Good Compliance cohort was assumed to have an ACS of 2.25 for 21 years. Major KF costs were evaluated - i.e., dialysis, kidney transplants, and subsequent monitoring. RESULTS: The mean CCS was 47 for the GC and 22 for the PC cohort respectively, corresponding to estimated lifetime KF costs of £92,370 and £117,830 respectively - i.e., a cost saving of £25,460/patient, or £1,005/patient for every 1-unit improvement in CCS. CONCLUSION: This analysis indicates that lifetime costs of KF in NC can be reduced through improved treatment compliance with oral cysteamine.

A Phase I/IIa study of autologous tolerogenic dendritic cells immunotherapy in kidney transplant recipients.

Kidney transplant survival is shortened by chronic rejection and side effects of standard immunosuppressive drugs. Cell-based immunotherapy with tolerogenic dendritic cells has long been recognized as a promising approach to reduce general immunosuppression. Published trials report the safety and the absence of therapy-related adverse reactions in patients treated with tolerogenic dendritic cells suffering from several inflammatory diseases. Here, we present the first phase I clinical trial results using human autologous tolerogenic dendritic cells (ATDC) in kidney transplantation. Eight patients received ATDC the day before transplantation in conjunction with standard steroids, mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus immunosuppression with an option to taper mycophenolate mofetil. ATDC preparations were manufactured in a Good Manufacturing Practice-compliant facility and fulfilled cell count, viability, purity and identity criteria for release. A control group of nine patients received the same standard immunosuppression, except basiliximab induction replaced ATDC therapy and mycophenolate tapering was not allowed. During the three-year follow-up, no deaths occurred and there was 100% graft survival. No significant increase of adverse events was associated with ATDC infusion. Episodes of rejection were observed in two patients from the ATDC group and one patient from the control group. However, all rejections were successfully treated by glucocorticoids. Mycophenolate was successfully reduced/stopped in five patients from the ATDC group, allowing tacrolimus monotherapy for two of them. Regarding immune monitoring, reduced CD8 T cell activation markers and increased Foxp3 expression were observed in the ATDC group. Thus, our results demonstrate ATDC administration safety in kidney-transplant recipients.

Expert guidance on the multidisciplinary management of cystinosis in adolescent and adult patients.

Cystinosis, a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder, results in an abnormal accumulation of the amino acid cystine in multiple organs and tissues of the body. Renal symptoms typically develop in the first few months of life, with extra-renal manifestations becoming apparent over the next 10-20 years, which require coordinated multidisciplinary care. Here, we describe a consensus-based guidance to support the management of adolescents and adults living with cystinosis. The programme was led by a Steering Committee (SC) of six experts in the management of patients with cystinosis, who identified a list of 15 key questions reflecting the multi-organ effects of cystinosis. An Extended Faculty (EF) of eight additional specialists was invited to answer the questions via an online digital platform using a quasi-Delphi approach. The consolidated answers were summarized into recommendations. Where evidence was lacking, recommendations were developed using collective expert consensus. The EF was asked to agree/disagree with the clinical recommendations. The expert-agreed clinical recommendations provide guidance that considers both renal and extra-renal systems. The topics covered are advice on fertility and family planning, consideration of the nervous, muscular, ophthalmic, cardio-respiratory, endocrine, dermatological and gastrointestinal systems, as well as guidance on dental care, diet, lifestyle, and improving quality of life and psychological well-being. In summary, this work outlines recommendations and a checklist for clinicians with a vision for improving and standardizing the multidisciplinary care for patients with cystinosis.

Pregnancy in cystinosis patients with chronic kidney disease: A European case series.

Cystinosis is a rare autosomal recessive disease leading to end-stage renal disease within the second or third decade of life. Since the era of specific treatment with cysteamine, prognosis has substantially improved and pregnancy becomes an increasing concern. Pregnancy data in patients with cystinosis were collected through an anonymized survey. We collected data for 19 pregnancies in 12 women. Seventeen patients were transplanted, 1 was on hemodialysis and 1 had chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4. These 19 pregnancies resulted in 13 live births (68.4%): 3 spontaneous early miscarriages, 1 ectopic pregnancy, 1 early pre-eclampsia (at 21 weeks), and 1 preterm birth with neonatal death at 24 weeks were reported. After exclusion of early miscarriage or termination, pregnancy success rate was 86.7%. In successful pregnancies, median gestational age at delivery was 34 weeks (24-37). Preeclampsia occurred in seven pregnancies (7/15, 46.7%). A cesarean section was performed in all pregnancies. Median baby weight at delivery was 2175 g (620-3374 g). After pregnancy, one patient reached end-stage renal disease, but she already had advanced CKD before pregnancy (creatinine 239 µmol/L, eGFR 23 ml/min/1.73 m2 ). In three other patients, there was a decrease of eGFR of 8, 20, and 53 ml/min/1.73 m2 , respectively. The majority of pregnancies were successful, but severe antenatal and post-natal complications may occur, in particular preeclampsia that was noticed in nearly half of patients and fetal loss in one-third of them. These results may help pre-pregnancy counseling and pregnancy management.

Unclogging the effects of the Angiojet® thrombectomy system on kidney function: a case report.

BACKGROUND: AngioJet® is an increasingly used method of percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy for the treatment of patients with arterial and venous thromboses. AngioJet® has been shown to cause intravascular haemoylsis universally. We report the case of a 29 year old patient who underwent AngioJet® thrombectomy and post-procedure developed a stage 3 Acute kidney injury (AKI.) requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT), secondary to intravascular haemolysis. We aim to explore the mechanism and potential risk factors associated with developing AKI in these patients and suggest steps to optimise patient management. CASE PRESENTATION: A 29 year old Caucasian male who developed a stage 3 AKI, requiring RRT, following AngioJet® thrombectomy for an occluded femoral vein stent. Urine and laboratory investigations showed evidence of intravascular haemolysis, which was the likely cause of AKI. Following a brief period of RRT he completely recovered renal function. CONCLUSIONS: AKI is an increasingly recognised complication following AngioJet® thrombectomy, but remains underappreciated in clinical practice. AKI results from intravascular haemolysis caused by the device. Up to 13% of patients require RRT, but overall short-term prognosis is good. Pre-procedural risk factors for the development of AKI include recent major surgery. Sodium bicarbonate should be administered to those who develop renal impairment. Renal biopsy is high risk and does not add to management. Increased clinician awareness and vigilance for AKI post-procedure can allow for early recognition and referral to nephrology services for ongoing management.

Epidemiology of Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis: A Study Using Linked UK Primary Care and Hospital Data.

INTRODUCTION: Distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA), or RTA type 1, a rare inherited or acquired disease, is a disorder of the distal tubule caused by impaired urinary acid secretion. Due to associated conditions and nonspecific symptoms, dRTA may go undetected. This analysis aims to estimate the prevalence of dRTA in the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) databases and extrapolate it to European Union Five (EU5) populations. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the CPRD GOLD database and linked Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data to identify diagnosed and potentially undiagnosed or miscoded patients (suspected patients). Patients' records with at least one diagnosis code for dRTA, RTA, specific autoimmune diseases, or renal disorders recorded between January 1987 and November 2017 were obtained and analyzed. An algorithm was developed to detect potentially undiagnosed/miscoded dRTA, based on associated conditions and prescriptions. RESULTS: A total of 216 patients with diagnosis of RTA or dRTA were identified (with 98 linked to hospital data), and 447 patients were identified as having suspected dRTA. dRTA prevalence for 2017 was estimated between 0.46 (recorded cases, of which 22.1% were considered primary) and 1.60 when including suspected cases (7.6% primary) per 10,000 people. Prescription and clinical records of diagnosed patients revealed a wide range of comorbidities and a need for pharmacological treatment to manage associated symptoms. CONCLUSION: The study provides new estimates of dRTA prevalence in Europe and suggests that patients may often be unreported or miscoded, potentially confounding appropriate disease management.

Mortality Rates in Transplant Recipients and Transplantation Candidates in a High-prevalence COVID-19 Environment.

BACKGROUND: The risk of COVID-19 infection in transplant recipients (TRs) is unknown. Patients on dialysis may be exposed to greater risk of infection due to an inability to isolate. Consideration of these competing risks is important before restarting suspended transplant programs. This study compared outcomes in kidney and kidney/pancreas TRs with those on the waiting list, following admission with COVID-19 in a high-prevalence region. METHODS: Audit data from all 6 London transplant centers were amalgamated. Demographic and laboratory data were collected and outcomes included mortality, intensive care (ITU) admission, and ventilation. Adult patients who had undergone a kidney or kidney/pancreas transplant, and those active on the transplant waiting list at the start of the pandemic were included. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-one TRs and 52 waiting list patients (WL) were admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Thirty-six TR died (30%), while 14 WL patients died (27% P = 0.71). There was no difference in rates of admission to ITU or ventilation. Twenty-four percent of TR required renal replacement therapy, and 12% lost their grafts. Lymphocyte nadir and D-dimer peak showed no difference in those who did and did not die. No other comorbidities or demographic factors were associated with mortality, except for age (odds ratio of 4.3 [95% CI 1.8-10.2] for mortality if aged over 60 y) in TR. CONCLUSIONS: TRs and waiting list patients have similar mortality rates after hospital admission with COVID-19. Mortality was higher in older TRs. These data should inform decisions about transplantation in the COVID era.

Feasibility, long-term safety, and immune monitoring of regulatory T cell therapy in living donor kidney transplant recipients.

Short-term outcomes in kidney transplantation are marred by progressive transplant failure and mortality secondary to immunosuppression toxicity. Immune modulation with autologous polyclonal regulatory T cell (Treg) therapy may facilitate immunosuppression reduction promoting better long-term clinical outcomes. In a Phase I clinical trial, 12 kidney transplant recipients received 1-10 × 106 Treg per kg at Day +5 posttransplantation in lieu of induction immunosuppression (Treg Therapy cohort). Nineteen patients received standard immunosuppression (Reference cohort). Primary outcomes were rejection-free and patient survival. Patient and transplant survival was 100%; acute rejection-free survival was 100% in the Treg Therapy versus 78.9% in the reference cohort at 48 months posttransplant. Treg therapy revealed no excess safety concerns. Four patients in the Treg Therapy cohort had mycophenolate mofetil withdrawn successfully and remain on tacrolimus monotherapy. Treg infusion resulted in a long-lasting dose-dependent increase in peripheral blood Tregs together with an increase in marginal zone B cell numbers. We identified a pretransplantation immune phenotype suggesting a high risk of unsuccessful ex-vivo Treg expansion. Autologous Treg therapy is feasible, safe, and is potentially associated with a lower rejection rate than standard immunosuppression. Treg therapy may provide an exciting opportunity to minimize immunosuppression therapy and improve long-term outcomes.

High prevalence of Afro-Caribbean ethnicity and hypoglycaemia in patients with diabetes and end stage renal disease hospitalized with COVID-19.

End stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with a high mortality rate among patients hospitalized with COVID-19. To the best of our knowledge, there is limited data on the clinical features, ethnicity, inpatient glycaemic control and outcomes in patients with diabetes related ESRD in the literature. We report the clinical features and outcomes of 39 consecutive ESRD patients (28 on haemodialysis [HD] and 11 with renal transplant) secondary to diabetic kidney disease admitted to a university hospital with COVID-19. We observed a high prevalence of patients of Afro-Caribbean ethnicity hospitalized with COVID-19 with a 73% and 54% prevalence in renal transplant and HD groups respectively. The mortality rate of our cohort was 36%. Nearly a one-third of HD patients and one-fifth of transplant patients had hypoglycaemic events during COVID-19 hospitalization. Adjustment of diabetes treatment was frequently required. Our data highlight the importance of integrated multidisciplinary care of patients with diabetes related ESRD hospitalized with COVID-19.

Development and validation of the first consensus gene-expression signature of operational tolerance in kidney transplantation, incorporating adjustment for immunosuppressive drug therapy.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with "operational tolerance" (OT) maintain a functioning graft without immunosuppressive (IS) drugs, thus avoiding treatment complications. Nevertheless, IS drugs can influence gene-expression signatures aiming to identify OT among treated KTRs. METHODS: We compared five published signatures of OT in peripheral blood samples from 18 tolerant, 183 stable, and 34 chronic rejector KTRs, using gene-expression levels with and without adjustment for IS drugs and regularised logistic regression. FINDINGS: IS drugs explained up to 50% of the variability in gene-expression and 20-30% of the variability in the probability of OT predicted by signatures without drug adjustment. We present a parsimonious consensus gene-set to identify OT, derived from joint analysis of IS-drug-adjusted expression of five published signature gene-sets. This signature, including CD40, CTLA4, HSD11B1, IGKV4-1, MZB1, NR3C2, and RAB40C genes, showed an area under the curve 0⋅92 (95% confidence interval 0⋅88-0⋅94) in cross-validation and 0⋅97 (0⋅93-1⋅00) in six months follow-up samples. INTERPRETATION: We advocate including adjustment for IS drug therapy in the development stage of gene-expression signatures of OT to reduce the risk of capturing features of treatment, which could be lost following IS drug minimisation or withdrawal. Our signature, however, would require further validation in an independent dataset and a biomarker-led trial. FUNDING: FP7-HEALTH-2012-INNOVATION-1 [305147:BIO-DrIM] (SC,IR-M,PM,DSt); MRC [G0801537/ID:88245] (MPH-F); MRC [MR/J006742/1] (IR-M); Guy's&StThomas' Charity [R080530]&[R090782]; CONICYT-Bicentennial-Becas-Chile (EN-L); EU:FP7/2007-2013 [HEALTH-F5-2010-260687: The ONE Study] (MPH-F); Czech Ministry of Health [NV19-06-00031] (OV); NIHR-BRC Guy's&StThomas' NHS Foundation Trust and KCL (SC); UK Clinical Research Networks [portfolio:7521].

Regulatory cell therapy in kidney transplantation (The ONE Study): a harmonised design and analysis of seven non-randomised, single-arm, phase 1/2A trials.

BACKGROUND: Use of cell-based medicinal products (CBMPs) represents a state-of-the-art approach for reducing general immunosuppression in organ transplantation. We tested multiple regulatory CBMPs in kidney transplant trials to establish the safety of regulatory CBMPs when combined with reduced immunosuppressive treatment. METHODS: The ONE Study consisted of seven investigator-led, single-arm trials done internationally at eight hospitals in France, Germany, Italy, the UK, and the USA (60 week follow-up). Included patients were living-donor kidney transplant recipients aged 18 years and older. The reference group trial (RGT) was a standard-of-care group given basiliximab, tapered steroids, mycophenolate mofetil, and tacrolimus. Six non-randomised phase 1/2A cell therapy group (CTG) trials were pooled and analysed, in which patients received one of six CBMPs containing regulatory T cells, dendritic cells, or macrophages; patient selection and immunosuppression mirrored the RGT, except basiliximab induction was substituted with CBMPs and mycophenolate mofetil tapering was allowed. None of the trials were randomised and none of the individuals involved were masked. The primary endpoint was biopsy-confirmed acute rejection (BCAR) within 60 weeks after transplantation; adverse event coding was centralised. The RTG and CTG trials are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01656135, NCT02252055, NCT02085629, NCT02244801, NCT02371434, NCT02129881, and NCT02091232. FINDINGS: The seven trials took place between Dec 11, 2012, and Nov 14, 2018. Of 782 patients assessed for eligibility, 130 (17%) patients were enrolled and 104 were treated and included in the analysis. The 66 patients who were treated in the RGT were 73% male and had a median age of 47 years. The 38 patients who were treated across six CTG trials were 71% male and had a median age of 45 years. Standard-of-care immunosuppression in the recipients in the RGT resulted in a 12% BCAR rate (expected range 3·2-18·0). The overall BCAR rate for the six parallel CTG trials was 16%. 15 (40%) patients given CBMPs were successfully weaned from mycophenolate mofetil and maintained on tacrolimus monotherapy. Combined adverse event data and BCAR episodes from all six CTG trials revealed no safety concerns when compared with the RGT. Fewer episodes of infections were registered in CTG trials versus the RGT. INTERPRETATION: Regulatory cell therapy is achievable and safe in living-donor kidney transplant recipients, and is associated with fewer infectious complications, but similar rejection rates in the first year. Therefore, immune cell therapy is a potentially useful therapeutic approach in recipients of kidney transplant to minimise the burden of general immunosuppression. FUNDING: The 7th EU Framework Programme.

Carbon dioxide angiography during peripheral angioplasty procedures significantly reduces the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Iodinated contrast media are amongst the most frequently prescribed medications, however, their use is not without complications. With contrast-induced nephropathy constituting a major concern, alternative non-iodine based approaches have been explored such as carbon dioxide angiography. The purpose of this study is to report the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy following carbon dioxide angiography in patients with impaired renal function that underwent peripheral angioplasty compared with a historical cohort of patients that underwent angioplasty with use of solely iodine contrast medium. The historical cohort of patients treated with iodinated contrast was used as control. Baseline demographics and renal function tests were recorded. Primary outcome was incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy within 48-72 h post intervention. Receiver-Operating-Characteristic curve analysis was used to correlate the volume of iodinated contrast with the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy. RESULTS: Carbon Dioxide was used as an alternative to iodinated contrast media in patients with impaired renal function (eGFR<60mls/min/1.73 m2) undergoing peripheral angioplasty procedures. Fifty, consecutive patients (baseline eGFR = 38.6 ± 13.2mls/min/1.73 m2) were included in a prospective clinical audit. These were matched (1:2) with a historical cohort of patients (baseline eGFR = 43.3 ± 12.2mls/min/1.73 m2) treated with Iodinated contrast media. The incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy was 14% (n = 7/50) in case of carbon dioxide vs. 29% (n = 29/100) in the matched cohort group (p = 0.045). Receiver-Operating-Characteristic analysis showed that use of >25mls of contrast was 94.4% (95% CI:81-99%) sensitive in predicting contrast-induced nephropathy. CONCLUSION: Carbon dioxide imaging during peripheral angioplasty procedures protects against contrast-induced nephropathy. Use of >25mls of iodinated contrast media in high-risk patients is a predictor of contrast-induced nephropathy.

Hypertension and renal impairment in patients with cystinuria: findings from a specialist cystinuria centre.

Higher blood pressures (mean systolic difference 16.8 mmHg) when compared to matched individuals are already reported in patients with calcium urolithiasis. We present the prevalence of hypertension and renal impairment in patients with cystinuria from our specialist single centre. We analysed our prospective database of adult patients with cystinuria who attend our cystinuria service. This included details of the medical and operative management of their disease. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse and present the data. 120 patients were included with a median age of 40 (19-76) years, 66 were male (55%) and 54 were female (45%). 54/120 patients (45%) were taking medications to prevent stone formation. 78% (94/120) patients reported having undergone one or more stone-related procedure. 59% (55/94) of these having required at least one PCNL or open procedure during their lifetime. Prevalence of hypertension was 50.8% (61/120), and double in males compared to females (62.1% vs. 37.0%, P = 0.0063). Mean baseline creatinine was 88.2 (49-153) µmol/l and eGFR was 77.6 (32-127) ml/min/1.73 m2. When categorized by CKD stage, only 24.6% (27% vs. 21%, M vs. F) patients had normal renal function (being an eGFR > 89 ml/min/1.73 m2). 57.6% patients were CKD stage 2 and 17.8% CKD stage 3. Females had a slightly greater incidence of renal impairment. All patients who have previously undergone a nephrectomy (n = 10) or have a poorly functioning kidney (n = 19) have renal impairment (CKD stage 2 or 3). Incidence of hypertension in patients with cystinuria is 51%, with a male preponderance. Only 25% of patients with cystinuria have normal renal function. This highlights the long-term cardiovascular and renal risks that the metabolic effects of cystinuria pose, in addition to the challenges of managing recurrent urolithiasis in a young population.

A Rapamycin-Based GMP-Compatible Process for the Isolation and Expansion of Regulatory T Cells for Clinical Trials.

The concept of regulatory T cell (Treg)-based immunotherapy has enormous potential for facilitating tolerance in autoimmunity and transplantation. Clinical translation of Treg cell therapy requires production processes that satisfy the rigors of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. In this regard, we report our findings on the implementation of a robust GMP compliant process for the ex vivo expansion of clinical grade Tregs, demonstrating the feasibility of this developed process for the manufacture of a final product for clinical application. This Treg isolation procedure ensured the selection of a pure Treg population that underwent a 300-fold expansion after 36 days of culture, while maintaining a purity of more than 75% CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ cells and a suppressive function of above 80%. Furthermore, we report the successful cryopreservation of the final product, demonstrating the maintenance of phenotype and function. The process outlined in this manuscript has been implemented in the ONE study, a multicenter phase I/IIa clinical trial in which cellular therapy is investigated in renal transplantation.

Steroid regulation: An overlooked aspect of tolerance and chronic rejection in kidney transplantation.

Steroid conversion (HSD11B1, HSD11B2, H6PD) and receptor genes (NR3C1, NR3C2) were examined in kidney-transplant recipients with "operational tolerance" and chronic rejection (CR), independently and within the context of 88 tolerance-associated genes. Associations with cellular types were explored. Peripheral whole-blood gene-expression levels (RT-qPCR-based) and cell counts were adjusted for immunosuppressant drug intake. Tolerant (n = 17), stable (n = 190) and CR patients (n = 37) were compared. Healthy controls (n = 14) were used as reference. The anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) and the cortisol-activating HSD11B1 and H6PD genes were up-regulated in CR and were lowest in tolerant patients. The pro-inflammatory mineralocorticoid gene (NR3C2) was downregulated in stable and CR patients. NR3C1 was associated with neutrophils and NR3C2 with T-cells. Steroid conversion and receptor genes, alone, enabled classification of tolerant patients and were major contributors to gene-expression signatures of both, tolerance and CR, alongside known tolerance-associated genes, revealing a key role of steroid regulation and response in kidney transplantation.

Screening for psychological distress using the Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale (PHQ-ADS): Initial validation of structural validity in dialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the factor structure of the Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale (PHQ-ADS)- which is a composite measure of depression and anxiety using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), in a sample of haemodialysis patients. METHOD: Screening data (n=182) used to select entry into a feasibility study of an online cognitive-behavioural therapy intervention for distress in dialysis patients were analysed here. Structural validity of the PHQ-ADS was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), assessing alternative models including a bi-factor model. In the bi-factor model all items from the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 (16-items in total) were loaded onto a general distress factor. Respective items of the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were specified as subgroup factors. Omega-hierarchical was calculated to indicate the level of saturation of a multidimensional scale by a general factor. Construct validity was determined against the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire. RESULTS: A bi-factor PHQ-ADS model had good fit to the data (chi-square=96.1, p=0.26, CFI=0.99; TLI=0.99; RMSEA=0.02). The general distress factor accounted for approximately 84% of the explained variance (omega-h=0.90). Distress scores were significantly higher in females compare with males. There was a significant association between distress and negative illness perceptions (r=0.58, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The PHQ-ADS appears to have good structural validity in haemodialysis patients and is sufficiently unidimensional to warrant the use of a total distress score. A full psychometric analysis of the PHQ-ADS in a larger sample of dialysis patients is warranted.