L. Wei

Differential Expression of MicroRNAs During Allograft Rejection

MicrorRNA are small noncoding RNA molecules that regulate the posttranscriptional expression of target genes. In addition to being involved in many biologic processes, microRNAs are important regulators in innate and adaptive immune responses. Distinct sets of expressed microRNAs are found in different cell types and tissues and aberrant expression of microRNAs is associated with many disease states. MicroRNA expression was examined in a model of heterotopic heart transplantation by microarray analyses and a unique profile was detected in rejecting allogeneic transplants (BALB/c → C57BL/6) as compared to syngeneic transplants (C57BL/6 → C57BL/6). The microRNA miR‐182 was significantly increased in rejecting cardiac allografts and in mononuclear cells that infiltrate the grafts. Forkhead box (FOX) proteins are a family of important transcription factors and FOXO1 is a target of miR‐182. As miR‐182 increases after transplant, there is a concomitant posttranscriptional decrease in FOXO1 expression in heart allografts that is localized to both the cardiomyocytes and CD3+ T cells. The microRNA miR‐182 is significantly increased in both peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma during graft rejection suggesting potential as a biomarker of graft status. Our results identify microRNAs that may regulate alloimmune responses and graft outcomes.

Differential expression and functions of microRNAs in liver transplantation and potential use as non-invasive biomarkers.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators in many biologic processes and have been implicated in the control of genes relevant to acute rejection and liver functions. Here we review the miRNAs specifically expressed in allografts during acute rejection and discuss potential roles for these miRNAs in liver dysfunction. We focus on miRNAs dysregulated both in the liver and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and include a discussion of the potential for these miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers to reflect liver status posttransplant.

PI3Kδ Inhibition Augments the Efficacy of Rapamycin in Suppressing Proliferation of Epstein−Barr Virus (EBV)+ B Cell Lymphomas

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) continues to be a devastating and potentially life‐threatening complication in organ transplant recipients. PTLD is associated with EBV infection and can result in malignant B cell lymphomas. Here we demonstrate that the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is highly activated in EBV+ B cell lymphoma lines derived from patients with PTLD. Treatment with the mTORC1 inhibitor Rapamycin (RAPA) partially inhibited the proliferation of EBV+ B cell lines. Resistance to RAPA treatment correlated with high levels of Akt phosphorylation. An mTORC1/2 inhibitor and a PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor suppressed Akt phosphorylation and showed a greater anti‐proliferative effect on EBV+ B lymphoma lines compared to RAPA. EBV+ B cell lymphoma lines expressed high levels of PI3Kδ. We demonstrate that PI3Kδ is responsible for Akt activation in EBV+ B cell lymphomas, and that selective inhibition of PI3Kδ by either siRNA, or a small molecule inhibitor, augmented the anti‐proliferative effect of RAPA on EBV+ B cell lymphomas. These results suggest that PI3Kδ is a novel, potential therapeutic target for the treatment of EBV‐associated PTLD and that combined blockade of PI3Kδ and mTOR provides increased efficacy in inhibiting proliferation of EBV+ B cell lymphomas.

Identification of the rat NKG2D ligands, RAE1L and RRLT, and their role in allograft rejection

NKG2D is a receptor expressed by NK cells and subsets of T lymphocytes. On NK cells, NKG2D functions as a stimulatory receptor that induces effector functions. We cloned and expressed two rat NKG2D ligands, both members of the RAE1 family, RAE1L and RRLT, and demonstrate that these ligands can induce IFN‐γ secretion and cytotoxicity by rat NK cells. To examine changes in expression of NKG2D and the NKG2D ligands RAE1L and RRLT after transplantation, we used a Dark Agouti (DA)→Lewis rat model of liver transplantation. NKG2D expression was significantly increased in allogeneic liver grafts by day 7 post‐transplant. Ligands of NKG2D, absent in normal liver, were readily detected in both syngeneic and allogeneic liver grafts by day 1 post‐transplant. By day 7 post‐transplant, hepatocyte RAE1L and RRLT expression was significantly and specifically increased in liver allografts. In contrast to acute rejection that develops in the DA→Lewis model, transplantation of Lewis livers into DA recipients (Lewis→DA) results in spontaneous tolerance. Interestingly, expression of RAE1L and RRLT is low in Lewis→DA liver allografts, but significantly increased in DA→Lewis liver allografts undergoing rejection. In conclusion, our results suggest that expression of NKG2D ligands may be important in allograft rejection.

The effect of MICA antigens on transplant outcomes: A systematic review

Background and Objective: Human major histocompatibility complex class I‐related gene A (MICA) is reportedly associated with poor transplant outcomes and a high risk of acute and chronic rejection in solid organ transplantation. However, studies on these risks have found conflicting results. In order to identify areas in which additional research is needed, we have undertaken the first systematic review of evidence concerning the risk of anti‐MICA antibodies in recipients’ sera.

Liver microRNA Profile of Induced Allograft Tolerance.

Background Although the liver is less immunogenic than other solid organs, most liver transplant recipients receive lifelong immunosuppression. In both experimental models and clinical transplantation, total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) has been shown to induce allograft tolerance. Our goal was to identify the microRNAs (miRNAs) expressed in tolerant liver allograft recipients in an experimental model of TLI-induced tolerance. Methods To identify the miRNAs associated with TLI-induced tolerance, we examined syngeneic recipients (Lewis→Lewis) and allogeneic recipients (Dark Agouti→Lewis) of orthotropic liver transplants that received posttransplant TLI, allogeneic recipients that were not treated posttransplantation and experienced acute rejection, and native Dark Agouti livers. Quantitative-polymerase chain reaction miRNA array cards were used to profile liver grafts. Results We identified 12 miRNAs that were specifically and significantly increased during acute rejection. In early tolerance, 33 miRNAs were altered compared with syngeneic livers, with 80% of the miRNAs increased. In established tolerance, 42 miRNAs were altered. In addition, miR-142-5p and miR-181a demonstrated increased expression in tolerant livers (both early and established tolerance) as compared with syngeneic livers. A principal component analysis of all miRNAs assayed demonstrated a profile in established tolerance that was closely related to that seen in syngeneic livers. Conclusions The miRNA profile of established tolerant allografts is very similar to syngeneic grafts, suggesting tolerance may be a return to an immunological state of quiescence.

Absence of miR-182 Augments Cardiac Allograft Survival.

Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA molecules that regulate the posttranscriptional expression of target genes and are important regulators in immune responses. Previous studies demonstrated that the miRNA, miR-182 was significantly increased during allograft rejection. Further, the transcription factor Forkhead box (FOX) protein 1, (FOXO1) was shown to be a target of miR-182. The aim of this study is to further examine the role of miR-182 in alloimmune responses. Methods Transplantation of BALB/c cardiac allografts was performed in C57BL/6, miR-182−/−, B6.129S-H2dlAb1-Ea (MHC II− and CD4+ T cell-deficient) and B6.129S2-Tap1tm1Arp (MHC I− and CD8+ T cell-deficient) mice, with or without CTLA-4Ig administration. T cell phenotype, FOXO1 protein levels and graft infiltrating lymphocytes were determined in C57BL/6 or miR-182−/− mice by flow cytometric analysis, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results We now show that T cells, mainly CD4+ are the main cellular source of miR-182 during allograft rejection. In the absence of miR-182, CTLA-4Ig treatment significantly increased allograft survival (31.5 days C57BL/6 vs 60 days miR-182−/−; P < 0.01). Further, CTLA4-Ig treatment inhibits miR-182 expression, increases FOXO1 levels, and reduces the percentage of CD4+CD44hi T cells after transplantation. Fewer T cells infiltrate the cardiac allografts, and memory T cells are significantly decreased in allograft recipients deficient in miR-182 with CTLA4-Ig treatment (P < 0.01). Conclusions Our findings suggest that miR-182 contributes to the T-cell responses to alloantigen especially under costimulation blockade. Therapeutics that target specific miRNAs may prove beneficial in transplantation.