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Updated: May 9, 2026
09:04
Measurement of T Cell Alloreactivity Using Imaging Flow Cytometry
Published on: April 19, 2017
Biomarkers of tolerance
Refik Gökmen1, Maria P Hernandez-Fuentes
1King's College London, MRC Centre for Transplantation, London, UK.
Current Opinion in Organ Transplantation
|July 11, 2013
Summary
Identifying biomarkers in noninvasive samples can help monitor transplant tolerance. These biomarkers may guide the reduction or cessation of immunosuppression in patients who have achieved tolerance.
Area of Science:
- Transplantation immunology
- Biomarker discovery
- Immunosuppression management
Background:
- Donor-specific tolerance is crucial for solid organ transplantation success.
- Accurate identification and monitoring of tolerance are essential for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in identifying biomarkers for transplant tolerance.
- To explore how these biomarkers can guide immunosuppression withdrawal.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent studies in liver and kidney transplant recipients.
- Analysis of biomarker profiles associated with operational tolerance.
- Utilizing platforms like microarray gene expression, flow cytometry, and functional immune cell assays.
Main Results:
- Distinct biomarker profiles linked to operational tolerance identified in liver and kidney transplant recipients.
- Novel cellular mechanisms underlying tolerance development suggested by study findings.
- Composite biomarker sets validated for identifying operational tolerance.
Conclusions:
- Biomarker profiles show promise for guiding immunosuppression withdrawal and tolerance induction.
- Distinct cellular and molecular mechanisms contribute to tolerance in different transplanted organs.
- Prospective validation in clinical trials is necessary for these biomarker profiles.
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