New Delhi: In a groundbreaking development, scientists have identified a non-invasive way to detect early signs of organ transplant rejection. This method works for multiple types of transplanted organs, including kidneys, livers, lungs, and hearts.
For the first time, biomarkers indicating organ dysfunction have been found to match across different organ types. This discovery hints at the possibility of a universal blood test to diagnose early rejection, a tool that currently doesn’t exist.
With further research, these biomarkers might also help differentiate between various types of organ rejection, such as immune issues, inadequate blood supply, or maladaptive repairs. The long-term success rates for transplanted organs vary, with lungs at 59%, liver at 80%, kidney at 82%, and heart at 73%. Rejection can occur at any time after surgery, creating a lifelong threat for patients.
Currently, transplant rejection is often suspected only when the organ shows signs of malfunction, and a biopsy is required to confirm it. This new method offers a less invasive alternative. Recent studies have explored blood and urine markers for organ rejection, but none have yet entered clinical practice or been predictive of all types of organ rejections.
The current study, led by statistician Harry Robertson from the University of Sydney, analyzed 54 datasets from kidney, lung, liver, and heart transplant studies. Comparing blood samples to biopsies, the team identified 158 genes differentially expressed during rejection across all four organs, far exceeding what was expected by chance.
“This discovery is pivotal as it allows us to develop strategies to enhance the success rates of all transplants,” says Robertson. The shared biomarkers involve proteins that stimulate white blood cells, enzymes inducing cell death, cell receptors, and bone marrow cells involved in immune response.
Robertson’s team argues their findings demonstrate a “unifying pan-organ molecular marker.” Their method outperformed current organ-specific models being adapted for clinical use. However, its efficacy for pancreas, stomach, or intestine transplants remains untested.
The team has created an interactive website for scientists worldwide to compare biomarkers of transplant rejection, providing a standardized evaluation method.
“This atlas has led to the development of a proof of principle for a universal blood test that can predict the likelihood of transplant rejection before it occurs,” Robertson says, potentially improving transplant outcomes globally.
Since 1989, the one-year survival rate for kidney transplants has greatly improved, but long-term survival rates have stagnated. A reliable blood test for early detection of organ rejection could significantly alleviate patients’ anxiety and improve transplant success rates.
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