Biomarkers of acute rejection in renal transplant: a proteomic approach

Abstract

Kidney transplant is the best treatment for patients with end stage renal failure. Acute rejection (AR) is the major impediment to success in renal transplantation. We aimed to identify biomarkers candidates for acute renal rejection using plasma using LC‐MSE.Analysis was performed with plasma from 25 renal transplant patients with stable renal graft function ‐ control group (Ct) ‐ and 9 patients with acute graft rejection ‐ rejection group (Rej).We have detected 19 proteins overexpressed in the Rej group compared to Ct group, 02 proteins were underexpressed and 04 that were present only in the Rej group. Among the 19 overexpressed proteins we have selected 03 candidates for AR biomarkers in this model of renal graft. This overexpression was confirmed by Western Blotting. They are: alpha‐1 antitrypsin (A1AT) also known as SERPIN1, alpha‐2 antiplasmin (A2AP) called SERPINF2 and serum amyloid A (SAA). These proteins are involved in the acute phase response and are strongly associated among itself. With this study we identified a number of new targets in plasma that can be used in the future to monitor the patient. These proteins may be validated in the future as markers of acute rejection in renal transplantation. This is the first study using the technique of LC‐MSE to investigate proteomic changes in plasma of kidney transplant patients. (Supported Fapesp).