What’s New and What’s Hot? Basic Science at the American Transplant Congress 2012

Abstract

Application of advanced molecular techniques and novel animal models has provided new insights into basic mechanisms underlying clinical transplantation. Investigations in diverse areas, including graft rejection and tolerance, autoimmunity and infectious diseases, have revealed increasing complexity of the mechanisms controlling immune function, notably at the interface of the innate and adaptive immune systems and within secondary lymphoid organs. New roles have been identified for NK and dendritic cells, B-lymphocytes and for Th17 and regulatory T cells, notably in novel animal models of costimulatory blockade and tolerance. Confirmation of these observations will be needed in normal animals and in humans undergoing organ and cell transplantation. The impact of the microbiome, of vaccines, and of antimicrobial therapies on immune memory and reconstitution after lymphocyte depletion is beginning to be defined.

MicroRNA mediated regulation of immunity against gram-negative bacteria

“…Compromised immune systems from severe steroid-insensitive allergic airway disease [112], septic shock induced tolerance [76], or wound healing [80] has the potential to controlled miRNA regulation and restore the balance between key regulators of the immune system. Harnessing the intrinsic functionality of miRNA has led to the appreciation of the previously untapped therapeutic potential [113, 114] and resulted in patents [115–118], and advancements in various areas including cervical cancers [119, 120], tissue transplantation [121–123], and infections such as influenza [118, 124, 125], HCV [126, 127], HBV [128], Salmonella [129], Mycobacterium sp. [106, 130] and Helicobacter sp .…”

The Role of Fc Gamma Receptors in Antibody-Mediated Rejection of Kidney Transplants

“…Antibodies can also lyse target cells by complementindependent pathways, through the IgG Fc portion and FcγRs variably expressed at the surface of natural killer (NK) cells and of monocytes in a process known as antibody-dependent cellmediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25). The antibody Fc region can bind to receptors on monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and NK cells.…”