MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) Expression in Hypothermic Machine Perfusate May Predict Early Outcomes in Kidney Transplantation
1Institute of Nephrology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Cardiff Transplant Unit, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
Meeting: 2015 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: C257
Keywords: Graft function
Session Information
Session Name: Poster Session C: Translational Biomarkers and Immune Monitoring
Session Type: Poster Session
Date: Monday, May 4, 2015
Session Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm
Presentation Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm
Location: Exhibit Hall E
Introduction: Hypothermic machine perfusion is effective in improving outcomes from kidney transplantation and molecular analyses of hypothermic machine perfusate (HMP) have the potential to identify biomarkers of organ viability prior to transplantation. The ability to predict organ-specific outcomes prior to transplantation offers enormous advantages to the transplant surgeon, and may increase the organ donor pool by allowing use of the ever-increasing 'extended criteria donors (ECD)'.
MicroRNAs have considerable potential for use as biomarkers of numerous disease processes, including kidney disease. Of particular interest, significantly increased miR-21 expression in acute kidney injury has been reported. The aim of this study was to determine if miR-21 expression in HMP could determine early outcomes from kidney transplant.
Methods: Samples of HMP were taken at 15 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours after perfusion for ECD deceased after cardiac death (DCD) kidneys placed on the 'LifePort' prior to transplantation. Following RNA extraction using miRNeasy Mini Kits (Qiagen), cDNA was generated using the High Capacity Reverse Transcription kit (Life Technologies) and RT-qPCR was carried out using a specific TaqMan microRNA detection assay (Life Technologies). Clinical data were collected, including demographics and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 6 months post transplantation.
Results: Eleven kidneys (ECD/DCD) were included in our analysis. MicroRNAs were readily detected and found to be stable in the HMP medium. MiR-21 expression in HMP at 1 hour after perfusion correlated significantly with eGFR at 6 months post transplantation (r2=0.507, p=0.014).
Conclusion: MicroRNAs are emerging as important biomarkers in the context of kidney injury and transplantation. This study shows that miR-21 expression levels in HMP may be predictive of early outcomes from kidney transplantation. Further studies are needed with larger patient cohorts to confirm these findings.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Khalid U, Ablorsu E, Szabo L, Jenkins R, Bowen T, Fraser D, Chavez R. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) Expression in Hypothermic Machine Perfusate May Predict Early Outcomes in Kidney Transplantation [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2015; 15 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/microrna-21-mir-21-expression-in-hypothermic-machine-perfusate-may-predict-early-outcomes-in-kidney-transplantation/. Accessed May 12, 2025.« Back to 2015 American Transplant Congress