The transforming growth factor 1 (TGF1), whose level may depend on the polymorphism of the TGFB1 gene, is involved in the formation of myocardial fibrosis. Myocardial fibrosis in a cardiac allograft may lead to a hearts structural and functional remodeling and subsequent dysfunction. The frequency of occurrence of alleles and genotypes of the TGFB1 gene polymorphic regions rs1800469, rs1800470, and rs1800471 in heart transplant recipients and their association with graft myocardial fibrosis were analyzed. Carriers of the CC genotype (p = 0.023, OR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.0171.0), and more often the G allele of rs1800471 (p = 0.023, OR = 7.76, 95% CI: 1.060.20), were found among heart transplant recipients less frequently than among healthy individuals. In patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD), the GG genotype was less common (p = 0.035, OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.0616.793), while the A allele of rs1800469 was found more frequently (p = 0.035, OR = 0.37 95% CI: 0.1480.942) than in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). In heart transplant recipients with the AA genotype of rs1800470, myocardial fibrosis, verified by endomyocardial biopsy, was detected more often than in carriers of the G allele (OR = 10.4, 95% CI: 1.15294.538, p = 0.013). The revealed differences suggest a relationship between TGFB1 gene polymorphism and graft myocardial fibrosis. Studies on a larger group of patients would make it possible to characterize the influence of genetic factors on the formation of myocardial fibrosis in heart transplant recipients.

Summary Respiratory complications can be the cause of graft dysfunction after lung transplantation (LTx). MicroRNAs are small regulatory molecules—potential biomarkers of respiratory diseases and post‐transplant complications. Galectin‐3 is highly expressed in fibrosis of transplanted solid organs. The aim was to evaluate the expression of plasma miR‐339 and galectin‐3 concentrations in lung recipients including with airway obstruction after LTx. The study included 57 lung recipients (34 men and 23 women aged 10 to 74 years) were followed up to 5 years after LTx. The plasma microRNAs were detected by real‐time PCR; galectin‐3 levels were measured by ELISA. During follow‐up in 30 recipients, post‐transplant complications were detected: 12 (40.0%) cases of airway obstruction. The levels of miR‐339 and galectin‐3 were significantly higher in recipients with airway obstruction compare with 27 (47.3%) recipients without any complications (P = 0.036 and P = 0.014, resp.). Increasing miR‐339 (above the 0.02 fold change) and galectin‐3 (above the 11.7 ng/ml) threshold plasma levels in lung recipients is associated with high risk (RR = 7.14 ± 0.97 [95% CI 1.05–48.60], P = 0.045) of airway obstruction after LTx. A measurement of miR‐339 expression in combination with galectin‐3 level might be perspective to identify recipients at risk of airway obstruction after LTx.

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