Biomarkers of rejection in liver transplantation

Liver transplantation is a lifesaving therapy for thousands of individuals with end-stage liver disease across the world. Allograft rejection, which is traditionally detected through an invasive graft biopsy, is a major complication for liver transplant recipients in the postoperative period. Biomarkers represent a relatively newer and safer means of detecting and predicting transplant rejection when compared with the current standard of care: liver biopsy. This review serves to compile recent progress in the field of biomarker discovery in liver allograft rejection.

Several promising biomarkers exist in the field of liver transplant rejection. Recent developments include blood genomic assays measuring miRNA, mRNA and donor-derived cell-free DNA. Additionally, serum levels of cytokines, proteoforms, donor-specific antibodies and immunophenotyping have shown promising results in predicting rejection pre and/or posttransplant.

Biomarkers represent a novel method of predicting the risk of developing allograft rejection. The findings discussed in the studies outlined in this review are promising in the potential to improve patient management, reduce complications from over- or under-immunosuppression, and ultimately enhance outcomes.