Up‐regulated LRRN2 expression as a marker for graft quality in living donor liver transplantation

Abstract

The quality and size of liver grafts are critical factors that influence livingdonor liver transplantation (LDLT) function and safety. However, the biomarkers used for predicting graft quality are lacking. In this study, we sought to identify unique graft quality markers, aside from donor age, by using the livers of non-human primates. Hepatic gene microarray expression data from young and elderly cynomolgus macaques revealed a total of 271 genes with significantly increased expression in the elderly. These candidate genes were then narrowed down to six through bioinformatics analyses. The expression patterns of these candidate genes in human donor liver tissues were subsequently examined. Importantly, we found that grafts exhibiting up-regulated expression of these six candidate genes were associated with an increased incidence of liver graft failure. Multivariable analysis further revealed that upregulated expression of LRRN2 (encoding leucine-rich repeat protein, neuronal 2) in donor liver tissue served as an independent risk factor for graft failure (odds ratio 4.50, confidence interval 2.08-9.72). Stratification based on graft expression of LRRN2 and donor age was also significantly associated with 6-month graft survival rates. Conclusion: Up-regulated LRRN2 expression of liver graft is significantly correlated with graft failure in LDLT. In addition, combination of graft LRRN2 expression and donor age may represent a promising marker for predicting LDLT graft quality.

Donor Skeletal Muscle Quality Affects Graft Mortality After Living Donor Liver Transplantation- A Single Center, Retrospective Study

“…Donor age has been used as a marker for graft quality in LDLT (18). However, liver graft quality does not uniformly decline with donor age, and it is important to assess individual changes in donor grafts because there are individual differences in aging (29). In addition, the several qualitative assessment methods previously reported require liver biopsy (30,31), while this IMAC examination is not invasive, and the IMAC can be measured with CT images obtained before surgery, with no additional burden on the donor.…”

Association of gut microbiota with portal vein pressure in patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing living donor liver transplantation

“…Liver cirrhosis represents a major health burden worldwide, and the most common causes of cirrhosis are hepatitis C, alcohol-associated liver disease, and non-alcohol-associated liver disease. 1 Liver transplantation (LT) has been accepted as the most effective treatment for end-stage liver disease, 2,3 and various studies have shown improvement in the prognosis after LT. 4 The gut microbiota (GM) contributes to various physiological processes such as nutrient metabolism, maintenance of gut barrier integrity, immune modulation, and production of bioactive metabolites. 5 Recent advances in research have highlighted the intricate relationship between GM and liver function, emphasizing the importance of the gut-liver axis in the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis.…”

“…Liver cirrhosis represents a major health burden worldwide, and the most common causes of cirrhosis are hepatitis C, alcohol‐associated liver disease, and non‐alcohol‐associated liver disease. 1 Liver transplantation (LT) has been accepted as the most effective treatment for end‐stage liver disease, 2 , 3 and various studies have shown improvement in the prognosis after LT. 4 …”