Dynamic immune recovery process after liver transplantation revealed by single-cell multi-omics analysis

Rui Wang1,2, Xiao Peng1,2, Yixin Yuan1,2

  • 1Organ Transplantation Clinical Medical Center of Xiamen University, Department of General Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.

PubMed

Insights

This study reveals a four-phase immune recovery after liver transplantation (LT), identifying key immune cell changes and predictive markers for acute cellular rejection (ACR) under immunosuppression.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Transplantation Medicine
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Understanding immune system recovery after liver transplantation (LT) is crucial for managing immunosuppressive therapy and preventing rejection.
  • Acute cellular rejection (ACR) remains a significant complication impacting graft survival and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the temporal dynamics of immune cell remodeling following LT under immunosuppressive treatment.
  • To identify immune cell signatures that can predict or indicate acute cellular rejection (ACR).

Main Methods:

  • Single-cell multi-omics analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from LT patients at 13 time points.
  • Validation in two independent cohorts including LT patients and healthy controls.
  • Longitudinal tracking of immune cell composition, gene expression, and cellular interactions.

Main Results:

  • A distinct four-phase immune recovery process was identified post-LT.
  • Significant differences in immune response intensity were observed between ACR and non-ACR patients.
  • Inflamed NK cells, CD14+RNASE2+ monocytes, and FOS-expressing monocytes were identified as predictive indicators of ACR.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides a four-phase framework for understanding immune evolution after LT under tacrolimus-based immunosuppression.
  • Identified immune cell populations offer potential biomarkers for early detection of ACR.
  • Findings can inform personalized clinical management strategies for LT recipients.