Quantifying changes in innate immune function following liver transplantation for chronic liver disease
Benjamin M Stutchfield1, Martin W Bodingbauer2, Anya Adair1
1The Edinburgh Liver Surgery and Transplantation Experimental Research Group (eLISTER) and the Department of Surgery, Hepatology and Pharmacy, Royal Infirmary and University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Summary
Liver transplantation (LT) significantly improves impaired innate immune function in patients with chronic liver failure. This immune normalization occurs rapidly after LT, highlighting the liver
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Transplantation
Background:
- Patients with cirrhosis awaiting liver transplantation (LT) often succumb to sepsis.
- The liver's critical role in innate immunity is central to patient outcomes.
- The precise immune effects of LT remain largely unquantified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the immune effects of LT on innate immune capacity.
- To assess changes in innate immune function before and after LT in chronic liver failure patients.
Main Methods:
- Innate immune capacity was measured by the clearance of 99mTc-Albumin nanospheres.
- Study included 28 patients with chronic liver disease on the LT waiting list; 9 completed the protocol post-LT.
Main Results:
- Innate immune function was significantly impaired in patients awaiting LT, correlating with MELD score.
- LT rapidly normalized innate immune function by day 1 post-transplant, with further improvement by day 7.
- Donor liver weight initially correlated with immune function at day 1 but this effect diminished by day 7.
Conclusions:
- LT effectively restores innate immune function in patients with chronic liver failure.
- Understanding these immune effects can guide cirrhosis treatment and the development of artificial liver support systems.
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