Diagnostic and therapeutic potential of transforming growth factor beta 1 in solid organ transplantation: recent research findings

Abstract

Federation Clinical outcomes of solid organ transplantation depend on many factors. One of the main factors is the risk of post-transplant complications, which affect allograft and recipient survival. Multifactorial organ damage in post-transplant complications and the search for diagnostic and prognostic indicators of the condition have contributed to the study and selection of a wide range of proteomic and molecular genetic biomarkers, which have shown to be effective in solid organ transplantation. The use of biomarkers opens up additional possibilities for assessing the risk of complications and their early diagnosis. This potentially reduces the frequency of invasive diagnostic procedures. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) regulates many biological processes, has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, participates in immune response, and plays a key role in extracellular matrix (ECM) protein synthesis. ECM dysregulation leads to fibroblast hyperproliferation and increased collagen synthesis and, consequently, tissue fibrosis. The variability of the diagnostic and prognostic potential of TGF-β1 has been demonstrated in studies on recipients of various solid organs. The objective of this review is to analyze recent evidence on the role of TGF-β1 in the development of post-transplant complications and to assess its prospects as a marker of graft pathology or as a target for therapy.