MiR-339 and galectin-3: diagnostic value in patients with airway obstruction after lung transplantation.

Abstract

Respiratory complications can be the cause of graft dysfunction after lung transplantation (LTx). MicroRNAs are small regulatory molecules-potential biomarkers of respiratory diseases and post-transplant complications. Galectin-3 is highly expressed in fibrosis of transplanted solid organs. The aim was to evaluate the expression of plasma miR-339 and galectin-3 concentrations in lung recipients including with airway obstruction after LTx. The study included 57 lung recipients (34 men and 23 women aged 10 to 74years) were followed up to 5years after LTx. The plasma microRNAs were detected by real-time PCR; galectin-3 levels were measured by ELISA. During follow-up in 30 recipients, post-transplant complications were detected: 12 (40.0%) cases of airway obstruction. The levels of miR-339 and galectin-3 were significantly higher in recipients with airway obstruction compare with 27 (47.3%) recipients without any complications (P=0.036 and P=0.014, resp.). Increasing miR-339 (above the 0.02 fold change) and galectin-3 (above the 11.7ng/ml) threshold plasma levels in lung recipients is associated with high risk (RR=7.14±0.97 [95% CI 1.05-48.60], P=0.045) of airway obstruction after LTx. A measurement of miR-339 expression in combination with galectin-3 level might be perspective to identify recipients at risk of airway obstruction after LTx.