Senescence Biomarkers and Trajectories of Frailty and Physical Function After Kidney Transplantation

Cellular senescence is a biological mechanism of aging and age-related diseases. The aim of this study was to examine whether senescence biomarkers are associated with frailty and physical function trajectories in patients undergoing kidney transplantation (KT). We also discussed the relationship between senescence biomarkers and KT function. In this multicenter study, we prospectively assessed plasma levels of senescence biomarkers, frailty as measured by the Physical Frailty Phenotype, and physical function as measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery prior to KT. Frailty, physical function, and KT function were also measured 1 year after KT. Variable associations were assessed using Cox and relaxed least absolute shrinkage and selection operation regression. The cohort consisted of 197 participants (mean age 53 ± 13 years, 61.4% male, and 80.2% White race). Higher pre-KT levels of macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22) and growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) were independently associated with less improvement in frailty and/or physical function during the first year after KT. Higher pre-KT levels tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6 (FAS) and MMP-9 levels were independently associated with lower KT function one year after KT. Pre-KT cellular senescence may contribute to frailty, physical function, and kidney function trajectories during the first year after KT.