Bioinformatics analyses on the immune status of renal transplant patients, a systemic research of renal transplantation

Mei Meng,Weitao Zhang,Baixue Yu,Ming Xu,Qunye Tang,Tingting Li,Yi Shi,Tongyu Zhu,Ruiming Rong

doi:10.1186/s12920-020-0673-6

Abstract

BackgroundKidney transplantation is the most effective treatment for end-stage renal disease. Allograft rejections severely affect survivals of allograft kidneys and recipients.MethodsUsing bioinformatics approaches, the present study was designed to investigate immune status in renal transplant recipients. Fifteen datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were collected and analysed. Analysis of gene enrichment and protein-protein interactions were also used.ResultsThere were 40 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified in chronic rejection group when compared with stable recipients, which were enriched in allograft rejection module. There were 135 DEGs identified in acute rejection patients, compared with stable recipients, in which most genes were enriched in allograft rejection and immune deficiency. There were 288 DEGs identified in stable recipients when compared to healthy subjects. Most genes were related to chemokine signalling pathway. In integrated comparisons, expressions of MHC molecules and immunoglobulins were increased in both acute and chronic rejection; expressions of LILRB and MAP 4 K1 were increased in acute rejection patients, but not in stable recipients. There were no overlapping DEGs in blood samples of transplant recipients.ConclusionBy performing bioinformatics analysis on the immune status of kidney transplant patients, the present study reports several DEGs in the renal biopsy of transplant recipients, which are requested to be validated in clinical practice.

Highlights

IntroductionAcute and chronic graft rejections affect survivals of allograft kidneys and transplant patients [1, 2]
Kidney transplantation is the most effective treatment for end-stage renal disease
Increased presences of major histocompatibility complex (MHC, known as human leukocyte antigen Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)) are found in allografts, from both acute and chronic rejection patients, demonstrating that Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) upregulation is the crucial issue in the allograft immune responses

Summary

Introduction

Acute and chronic graft rejections affect survivals of allograft kidneys and transplant patients [1, 2]. Acute rejection is characterised by a quick loss of renal function, whereas chronic rejection presents gradual development of renal failure. Mechanisms and key regulators underlying the development of allograft rejection are complicated. Increased presences of major histocompatibility complex (MHC, known as human leukocyte antigen HLA) are found in allografts, from both acute and chronic rejection patients, demonstrating that MHC upregulation is the crucial issue in the allograft immune responses. The immune system from recipients targets foreign MHC proteins and triggers allograft immune responses. Kidney transplantation is the most effective treatment for end-stage renal disease. Allograft rejections severely affect survivals of allograft kidneys and recipients

Results

Discussion

Conclusion