A 21-bp deletion in the complement regulator CD55 promotor region is associated with multifocal motor neuropathy and its disease course.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To further substantiate the role of antibody-mediated complement activation in multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) immunopathology, we investigated the distribution of promotor polymorphisms of genes encoding the membrane-bound complement regulators CD46, CD55, and CD59 in patients with MMN and controls, and evaluated their association with disease course. METHODS: We used Sanger sequencing to genotype five common polymorphisms in the promotor regions of CD46, CD55, and CD59 in 133 patients with MMN and 380 controls. We correlated each polymorphism to clinical parameters. RESULTS: The genotype frequencies of rs28371582, a 21-bp deletion in the CD55 promotor region, were altered in patients with MMN as compared to controls (p .009; Del/Del genotype 16.8% vs. 7.7%, p .005, odds ratio: 2.43 [1.27-4.58]), and patients carrying this deletion had a more favorable disease course (mean difference 0.26 Medical Research Council [MRC] points/year; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.040-0.490, p .019). The presence of CD59 rs141385724 was associated with less severe pre-diagnostic disease course (mean difference 0.940 MRC point/year; 95% CI: 0.083-1.80, p .032). INTERPRETATION: MMN susceptibility is associated with a 21-bp deletion in the CD55 promotor region (rs2871582), which is associated with lower CD55 expression. Patients carrying this deletion may have a more favorable long-term disease outcome. Taken together, these results point out the relevance of the pre-C5 level of the complement cascade in the inflammatory processes underlying MMN.

Ellipro scores of donor epitope specific HLA antibodies are not associated with kidney graft survival.

In kidney transplantation, donor HLA antibodies are a risk factor for graft loss. Accessibility of donor eplets for HLA antibodies is predicted by the ElliPro score. The clinical usefulness of those scores in relation to transplant outcome is unknown. In a large Dutch kidney transplant cohort, Ellipro scores of pretransplant donor antibodies that can be assigned to known eplets (donor epitope specific HLA antibodies [DESAs]) were compared between early graft failure and long surviving deceased donor transplants. We did not observe a significant Ellipro score difference between the two cohorts, nor significant differences in graft survival between transplants with DESAs having high versus low total Ellipro scores. We conclude that Ellipro scores cannot be used to identify DESAs associated with early versus late kidney graft loss in deceased donor transplants.

Determination of the clinical relevance of donor epitope-specific HLA-antibodies in kidney transplantation.

In kidney transplantation, survival rates are still partly impaired due to the deleterious effects of donor specific HLA antibodies (DSA). However, not all luminex-defined DSA appear to be clinically relevant. Further analysis of DSA recognizing polymorphic amino acid configurations, called eplets or functional epitopes, might improve the discrimination between clinically relevant vs. irrelevant HLA antibodies. To evaluate which donor epitope-specific HLA antibodies (DESAs) are clinically important in kidney graft survival, relevant and irrelevant DESAs were discerned in a Dutch cohort of 4690 patients using Kaplan-Meier analysis and tested in a cox proportional hazard (CPH) model including nonimmunological variables. Pre-transplant DESAs were detected in 439 patients (9.4%). The presence of certain clinically relevant DESAs was significantly associated with increased risk on graft loss in deceased donor transplantations (p < 0.0001). The antibodies recognized six epitopes of HLA Class I, 3 of HLA-DR, and 1 of HLA-DQ, and most antibodies were directed to HLA-B (47%). Fifty-three patients (69.7%) had DESA against one donor epitope (range 1-5). Long-term graft survival rate in patients with clinically relevant DESA was 32%, rendering DESA a superior parameter to classical DSA (60%). In the CPH model, the hazard ratio (95% CI) of clinically relevant DESAs was 2.45 (1.84-3.25) in deceased donation, and 2.22 (1.25-3.95) in living donation. In conclusion, the developed model shows the deleterious effect of clinically relevant DESAs on graft outcome which outperformed traditional DSA-based risk analysis on antigen level.

Complement component C3 and C5b-9 deposition on hypoxia reperfused endothelial cells by non-HLA antibodies against RhoGDI2: A player involved in graft failure?

Antibodies against Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor 2 (RhoGDI2) are associated with inferior graft survival in transplant patients receiving a kidney from deceased donors. Although this suggests that these antibodies contribute to graft injury because of ischemia, it remains unknown whether they are also pathogenically involved in the process of graft loss. To study this, we firstly analyzed the IgG subclass profile of anti-RhoGDI2 antibodies in kidney transplant recipients, and whether antibody titers change over time or because of acute rejection. Next, we investigated the expression of RhoGDI2 on primary kidney and lung endothelial cells (ECs) upon hypoxia reperfusion. In addition, the complement-fixing properties of anti-RhoGDI2 antibodies were studied using imaging flow cytometry. Anti-RhoGDI2 antibodies in patients are mainly IgG1, and titers remained stable and seemed not be changed because of rejection. Antibodies against RhoGDI2, which surface expression seemed to increase upon hypoxia reperfusion, co-localized with C3 on ECs. Binding of human IgG1 monoclonal anti-RhoGDI2 antibodies as well as patient derived antibodies, resulted in complement activation, suggesting that these antibodies are complement fixing. This study suggested a potential pathogenic role of anti-RhoGDI2 antibodies in kidney graft loss. During ischemia reperfusion, the ability of these antibodies to fix complement could be one of the mechanisms resulting in tissue injury.

Comparison of Two Strategies to Generate Antigen-Specific Human Monoclonal Antibodies: Which Method to Choose for Which Purpose?

Human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are valuable tools to link genetic information with functional features and to provide a platform for conformational epitope mapping. Additionally, combined data on genetic and functional features provide a valuable mosaic for systems immunology approaches. Strategies to generate human mAbs from peripheral blood have been described and used in several studies including single cell sequencing of antigen-binding B cells and the establishment of antigen-specific monoclonal Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) immortalized lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). However, direct comparisons of these two strategies are scarce. Hence, we sought to set up these two strategies in our laboratory using peanut 2S albumins (allergens) and the autoantigen anti-Rho guanosine diphosphate dissociation inhibitor 2 (RhoGDI2, alternatively 'ARHGDIB') as antigen targets to directly compare these strategies regarding costs, time expenditure, recovery, throughput and complexity. Regarding single cell sequencing, up to 50% of corresponding V(D)J gene transcripts were successfully amplified of which 54% were successfully cloned into expression vectors used for heterologous expression. Seventy-five percent of heterologously expressed mAbs showed specific binding to peanut 2S albumins resulting in an overall recovery of 20.3%, which may be increased to around 29% by ordering gene sequences commercially for antibody cloning. In comparison, the establishment of monoclonal EBV-LCLs showed a lower overall recovery of around 17.6%. Heterologous expression of a mAb carrying the same variable region as its native counterpart showed comparable concentration-dependent binding abilities. By directly comparing those two strategies, single cell sequencing allows a broad examination of antigen-binding mAbs in a moderate-throughput manner, while the establishment of monoclonal EBV-LCLs is a powerful tool to select a small number of highly reactive mAbs restricted to certain B cell subpopulations. Overall, both strategies, initially set-up for peanut 2S albumins, are suitable to obtain human mAbs and they are easily transferrable to other target antigens as shown for ARHGDIB.

A Comprehensive Overview of the Clinical Relevance and Treatment Options for Antibody-mediated Rejection Associated With Non-HLA Antibodies.

Although solid organ transplant results have improved significantly in recent decades, a pivotal cause of impaired long-term outcome is the development of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), a condition characterized by the presence of donor-specific antibodies to HLA or non-HLA antigens. Highly HLA-sensitized recipients are treated with desensitization protocols to rescue the transplantation. These and other therapies are also applied for the treatment of AMR. Therapeutic protocols include removal of antibodies, depletion of plasma and B cells, inhibition of the complement cascade, and suppression of the T-cell-dependent antibody response. As mounting evidence illustrates the importance of non-HLA antibodies in transplant outcome, there is a need to evaluate the efficacy of treatment protocols on non-HLA antibody levels and graft function. Many reviews have been recently published that provide an overview of the literature describing the association of non-HLA antibodies with rejection in transplantation, whereas an overview of the treatment options for non-HLA AMR is still lacking. In this review, we will therefore provide such an overview. Most reports showed positive effects of non-HLA antibody clearance on graft function. However, monitoring non-HLA antibody levels after treatment along with standardization of therapies is needed to optimally treat solid organ transplant recipients.

A Review on the Function and Regulation of ARHGDIB/RhoGDI2 Expression Including the Hypothetical Role of ARHGDIB/RhoGDI2 Autoantibodies in Kidney Transplantation.

Challenging and still unsolved problems in kidney transplantation are risk stratification and the treatment of humoral rejection. Antibody-mediated rejection is an important cause of early and chronic rejection. The impact of donor-specific HLA antibodies on antibody-mediated rejection-causing graft damage is well known, but the clinical relevance of non-HLA antibodies remains unclear. Recently, in 2 independent studies, a new correlation was found between the presence of non-HLA anti-Rho guanosine diphosphate dissociation inhibitor 2 (ARHGDIB) antibodies and increased graft failure. RhoGDI2, another name for ARHGDIB, is a negative regulator of the Rho guanosine triphosphate (RhoGTP)ases RhoA, Rac1m, and Cdc42, whose main function is regulating the actin network in a variety of cells. RhoGDI2 is mainly expressed intracellularly, and some expression is observed on the cell surface. Currently, there is no mechanism known to explain this correlation. Additionally, the reason why the antibodies are produced is unknown. In this review, we will address these questions, provide an overview of other diseases in which these antibodies are prevalent, and describe the physiological role of RhoGDI2 itself. If the mechanism and impact of RhoGDI2 antibodies in kidney graft failure are known, improved risk stratification can be provided to decrease the rate of donor kidney graft failure.

A Single Nucleotide C3 Polymorphism Associates With Clinical Outcome After Lung Transplantation.

Background: Development of chronic rejection is still a severe problem and causes high mortality rates after lung transplantation (LTx). Complement activation is important in the development of acute rejection (AR) and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, with C3 as a key complement factor. Methods: We investigated a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the C3 gene (rs2230199) in relation to long-term outcome after LTx in 144 patient-donor pairs. In addition, we looked at local production of donor C3 by analyzing bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of 6 LTx patients using isoelectric focusing (IEF). Results: We demonstrated the presence of C3 in BALF and showed that this is produced by the donor lung based on the genotype of SNP rs2230199. We also analyzed donor and patient SNP configurations and observed a significant association between the SNP configuration in patients and episodes of AR during 4-years follow-up. Survival analysis showed a lower AR-free survival in homozygous C3 slow patients (p = 0.005). Furthermore, we found a significant association between the SNP configuration in donors and BOS development. Patients receiving a graft from a donor with at least one C3 fast variant for rs2230199 had an inferior BOS-free survival (p = 0.044). Conclusions: In conclusion, our data indicate local C3 production by donor lung cells. In addition, a single C3 SNP present in recipients affects short-term outcome after LTx, while this SNP in donors has an opposite effect on long-term outcome after LTx. These results could contribute to an improved risk stratification after transplantation.

Antibodies against ARHGDIB are associated with long-term kidney graft loss.

The clinical significance of non-HLA antibodies on renal allograft survival is a matter of debate, due to differences in reported results and lack of large-scale studies incorporating analysis of multiple non-HLA antibodies simultaneously. We developed a multiplex non-HLA antibody assay against 14 proteins highly expressed in the kidney. In this study, the presence of pretransplant non-HLA antibodies was correlated to renal allograft survival in a nationwide cohort of 4770 recipients transplanted between 1995 and 2006. Autoantibodies against Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor 2 (ARHGDIB) were significantly associated with graft loss in recipients transplanted with a deceased-donor kidney (N = 3276) but not in recipients of a living-donor kidney (N = 1496). At 10 years after deceased-donor transplantation, recipients with anti-ARHGDIB antibodies (94/3276 = 2.9%) had a 13% lower death-censored covariate-adjusted graft survival compared to the anti-ARHGDIB-negative (3182/3276 = 97.1%) population (hazard ratio 1.82; 95% confidence interval, 1.32-2.53; P = .0003). These antibodies occur independently from donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA) or other non-HLA antibodies investigated. No significant relations with graft loss were found for the other 13 non-HLA antibodies. We suggest that pretransplant risk assessment can be improved by measuring anti-ARHGDIB antibodies in all patients awaiting deceased-donor transplantation.

Association Between Promoter Polymorphisms in CD46 and CD59 in Kidney Donors and Transplant Outcome.

Complement regulating proteins, including CD46, CD55, and CD59, protect cells against self-damage. Because of their expression on the donor endothelium, they are hypothesized to be involved in accommodation. Polymorphisms in their promoter regions may affect their expression. The aim of this study was to investigate if donor polymorphisms in complement regulating proteins influence kidney transplant outcomes. We included 306 kidney transplantations between 2005 and 2010. Five polymorphisms in the promoters of CD46, CD55, and CD59 were genotyped. A CD59 promoter polymorphism (rs147788946) in donors was associated with a lower 1-year rejection-free survival [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.18, 95% CI 1.12-4.24] and a trend toward impaired 5-year graft survival (p = 0.08). Patients receiving a kidney with at least one G allele for the CD46 promoter polymorphism rs2796267 (A/G) showed a lower rejection-free survival, though this became borderline significant after adjustment for potential confounders (aHR 1.87, 95% CI 0.96-3.65). A second CD46 promoter polymorphism (rs2796268, A/G), was also associated with a lower freedom from acute rejection in the presence of at least one G allele (aHR 1.95, 95% CI 1.03-3.68). Finally, the combined presence of both favorable genotypes of rs2796267 and rs147788946 had an additional protective effect both on acute rejection (p = 0.006) and graft survival (p = 0.03). These findings could help to identify patients who could benefit from intensified immunosuppressive therapy or novel complement inhibitory therapeutics.

Serum intestinal fatty acid-binding protein in the noninvasive diagnosis of celiac disease.

Current diagnostic guidelines for celiac disease (CD) in pediatric patients require a duodenal biopsy if the IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is below 10x the upper limit of normal (ULN). Additional markers may enable a noninvasive diagnosis in this group. Serum intestinal-fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP), a marker for intestinal epithelial damage, could be useful in this respect. A total of 95 children with a clinical suspicion of CD and tTG 1-10x ULN were investigated. All had a duodenal biopsy and analysis of serum I-FABP. A control group of 161 children with familial short stature and normal tTG was included. I-FABP levels in the 71 patients with tTG 1-10x ULN and biopsy-proven CD (median 725 pg/mL) were not significantly different (p = 0.13) from the levels in the 24 patients with a tTG 1-10x ULN but a normal biopsy (median 497 pg/mL). However, when combining tTG and I-FABP levels, 11/24 patients could have been diagnosed noninvasively if tTG is ≥ 50 U/mL and I-FABP ≥880 pg/mL or in 12/19 patients if tTG is ≥ 60 U/mL and I-FABP ≥ 620 pg/mL. Therefore, addition of I-FABP to the diagnostic procedure of CD may provide a noninvasive diagnosis in patients with a tTG ≥ 50 U/mL.

Development and Validation of a Multiplex Non-HLA Antibody Assay for the Screening of Kidney Transplant Recipients.

The best treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease is kidney transplantation. Although graft survival rates have improved in the last decades, patients still may lose their grafts partly due to the detrimental effects of donor-specific antibodies (DSA) against human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and to a lesser extent also by antibodies directed against non-HLA antigens expressed on the donor endothelium. Assays to detect anti-HLA antibodies are already in use for many years and have been proven useful for transplant risk stratification. Currently, there is a need for assays to additionally detect multiple non-HLA antibodies simultaneously in order to study their clinical relevance in solid organ transplantation. This study describes the development, technical details and validation of a high-throughput multiplex assay for the detection of antibodies against 14 non-HLA antigens coupled directly to MagPlex microspheres or indirectly via a HaloTag. The non-HLA antigens have been selected based on a literature search in patients with kidney disease or following transplantation. Due to the flexibility of the assay, this approach can be used to include alternative antigens and can also be used for screening of other organ transplant recipients, such as heart and lung.

The Autoimmune-Associated Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Within PTPN22 Correlates With Clinical Outcome After Lung Transplantation.

Obstructive chronic lung allograft dysfunction (BOS) is the major limiting factor for lung transplantation (LTx) outcome. PTPN22 is described as the hallmark autoimmunity gene, and one specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs2476601, is associated with multiple autoimmune diseases, impaired T cell regulation, and autoantibody formation. Taking into consideration the contribution of autoimmunity to LTx outcome, we hypothesized that polymorphisms in the PTPN22 gene could be associated with BOS incidence. We selected six SNPs within PTPN22 and analyzed both patient and donor genotypes on BOS development post-LTx. A total of 144 patients and matched donors were included, and individual SNPs and haplotype configurations were analyzed. We found a significant association between patients carrying the heterozygous configuration of rs2476601 and a higher risk for BOS development (p = 0.005, OR: 4.400, 95%CI: 1.563-12.390). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that heterozygous patients exhibit a lower BOS-free survival compared to patients homozygous for rs2476601 (p = 0.0047). One haplotype, which solely contained the heterozygous risk variant, was associated with BOS development (p = 0.015, OR: 7.029, 95%CI: 1.352-36.543). Our results show that LTx patients heterozygous for rs2476601 are more susceptible for BOS development and indicate a deleterious effect of the autoimmune-related risk factor of PTPN22 in patients on LTx outcome.

Association between a Single Donor TARC/CCL17 Promotor Polymorphism and Obstructive Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction after Lung Transplantation.

Lung transplantation (LTx) outcome is hampered by development of chronic rejection, often manifested as the bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). Low serum levels of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17), a chemoattractant, measured during the first month post-LTx are predictive for BOS development. Since TARC/CCL17 promotor polymorphisms correlate with serum TARC/CCL17 levels, we investigated seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within this region and their potential association with LTx outcome. We analyzed donor and patient SNP configurations and haplotypes and observed a trend between a donor SNP (rs223899) configuration and patient TARC/CCL17 serum levels post-LTx (p = 0.066). Interestingly, this SNP configuration in patients did not show any correlation with pre-LTx TARC/CCL17 serum levels (p = 0.776). Survival analysis showed that receiving a graft from a donor heterozygous for rs223899 has a disadvantageous impact on transplantation outcome. When stratified per donor SNP genotype, patients receiving a transplant from a heterozygous donor showed a lower BOS-free survival (p = 0.023) and survival rate (p = 0.0079). Since rs223899 is located within a NFκB binding site, heterozygosity at this position could result in a reduced TARC/CCL17 expression. Our data indicate that a single TARC/CCL17 promotor SNP in the donor correlates with lower serum TARC/CCL17 levels measured 1 month after LTx and affects clinical outcome after LTx.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of the High Affinity IgG Receptor FcγRI Reduce Immune Complex Binding and Downstream Effector Functions.

Binding of IgG Abs to FcγRs on immune cells induces FcγR cross-linking that leads to cellular effector functions, such as phagocytosis, Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and cytokine release. However, polymorphisms in low affinity FcγRs have been associated with altered avidity toward IgG, thereby substantially impacting clinical outcomes of multimodular therapy when targeting cancer or autoimmune diseases with mAbs as well as the frequency and severity of autoimmune diseases. In this context, we investigated the consequences of three nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for the high affinity receptor for IgG, FcγRI. Only SNP V39I, located in the extracellular domain of FcγRI, reduces immune-complex binding of FcγRI whereas monomeric IgG binding is unaffected. This leads to reduced FcγRI effector functions, including Fc receptor γ-chain signaling and intracellular calcium mobilization. SNPs I301M and I338T, located in the transmembrane or intracellular domain, respectively, have no influence on monomeric IgG or immune complex binding, but FcRγ signaling is decreased for both SNPs, especially for I338T. We also found that the frequency of these SNPs in a cohort of healthy Dutch individuals is very low within the population. To our knowledge, this study addresses for the first time the biological consequences of SNPs in the high affinity FcγR, and reveals reduction in several FcγRI functions, which have the potential to alter efficacy of therapeutic Abs.

Antibodies against Apoptotic Cells Present in End-stage Lung Disease Patients Do Not Correlate with Clinical Outcome after Lung Transplantation.

Antibodies against HLA and non-HLA are associated with transplantation outcome. Recently, pretransplant serum IgG antibody levels against apoptotic cells were found to correlate with kidney allograft loss. We investigated the presence of these antibodies in lung transplantation (LTx) patients and evaluated the correlation of pre-LTx serum levels of IgG antibodies against apoptotic cells with LTx outcome. These cells included donor lung endothelial cells (ECs) obtained from lung perfusion fluid collected during LTx procedure. Cells were isolated, expanded in vitro, and analyzed as targets for antiapoptotic cell reactivity. Cultured cells exhibited EC morphology and were CD31+, CD13+, and vWF+. End-stage lung disease patients showed elevated serum IgG levels against apoptotic lung EC (p = 0.0018) compared to healthy controls. Interestingly, the levels of circulating antibodies directed against either apoptotic Jurkat cells or apoptotic lung ECs did not correlate, suggesting a target cell specificity. We observed no correlation between chronic or acute rejection and pre-LTx serum levels of antiapoptotic antibodies. Also, these levels did not differ between matched patients developing chronic rejection or not during follow-up or at the time of diagnosis, as they remained as high as prior to transplantation. Thus, circulating levels of antiapoptotic cell antibodies are elevated in end-stage lung disease patients, but our data do not correlate with outcome after LTx.

Reduced Expression of Membrane Complement Regulatory Protein CD59 on Leukocytes following Lung Transplantation.

Cellular protection against undesired effects of complement activation is provided by expression of membrane-bound complement regulatory proteins including CD59. This protein prevents membrane attack complex formation and is considered to be involved in graft accommodation. Also, CD59 downregulates CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell activation and proliferation. It is unknown whether CD59 expression is affected by transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quantitative CD59 antigen expression on distinct leukocyte subsets following lung transplantation (n = 26) and to investigate whether this differs from pretransplantation (n = 9). The results show that CD59 expression on leukocytes is significantly lower posttransplantation compared with healthy controls (p = 0.002) and pretransplantation (p < 0.0001). Moreover, the CD59 expression diminishes posttransplantation on all distinct lymphocyte subsets (p < 0.02). This effect appeared to be specific for CD59 since the expression of other surface markers remained stable or inclined following transplantation. The highest antigen expression posttransplantation was observed on CD4+ T cells and monocytes (p ≤ 0.002). These findings show that CD59 expression on leukocytes diminishes posttransplantation, which could result in decreased resistance against complement and enhanced T-cell activation. If such reduction in CD59 expression also occurs on endothelial cells from the transplanted organ, this could lead to a change into a prothrombotic and proinflammatory phenotype.

Soluble CD59 is a Novel Biomarker for the Prediction of Obstructive Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction After Lung Transplantation.

CD59 is a complement regulatory protein that inhibits membrane attack complex formation. A soluble form of CD59 (sCD59) is present in various body fluids and is associated with cellular damage after acute myocardial infarction. Lung transplantation (LTx) is the final treatment for end-stage lung diseases, however overall survival is hampered by chronic lung allograft dysfunction development, which presents itself obstructively as the bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). We hypothesized that, due to cellular damage and activation during chronic inflammation, sCD59 serum levels can be used as biomarker preceding BOS development. We analyzed sCD59 serum concentrations in 90 LTx patients, of whom 20 developed BOS. We observed that BOS patients exhibited higher sCD59 serum concentrations at the time of diagnosis compared to clinically matched non-BOS patients (p = 0.018). Furthermore, sCD59 titers were elevated at 6 months post-LTx (p = 0.0020), when patients had no BOS-related symptoms. Survival-analysis showed that LTx patients with sCD59 titers ≥400 pg/ml 6 months post-LTx have a significant (p < 0.0001) lower chance of BOS-free survival than patients with titers ≤400 pg/ml, 32% vs. 80% respectively, which was confirmed by multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 6.2, p < 0.0001). We propose that circulating sCD59 levels constitute a novel biomarker to identify patients at risk for BOS following LTx.

Profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells does not accurately predict the bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after lung transplantation.

After lung transplantation (LTx), circulating mononuclear cell composition and their subsets may be predictive for the bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). We investigated the cellular composition in patients developing BOS, or not, by analyzing peripheral blood taken at multiple time points after transplantation. PBMCs of 11 BOS and 39 non-BOS patients were analyzed by FACS for monocytes, dendritic cells, NK-, NKT-, B- and T cells as well as B- and T cell subsets. Analysis of blood samples taken monthly during the first year post-LTx showed that circulating NK, NKT and dendritic cell percentages were not indicative of BOS development, whereas increases in T cells, monocytes and lowered fractions of B cells were related to BOS development. B- and T cell subset analysis at month 5 post-LTx indicated that IgM+IgD- memory B cells and central memory CD8+ T cells were decreased, whereas NKT cells were increased in BOS patients compared to non-BOS patients. Prior to BOS diagnosis, the composition of specific mononuclear cells on a group level differs from patients remaining BOS free. However, given the overlap in percentages of cellular frequencies between the patient groups investigated, this analysis does not allow prediction or risk stratification for development of BOS in individual patients.