M J García1, F Jurado2, D San Segundo2, M López-Hoyos2, P Iruzubieta1, S Llerena1, F Casafont1, M Arias1, Á Puente1, J Crespo1, E Fábrega3. 1. Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Santander, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Márqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain. 2. Instituto de Investigación Márqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain; Immunology Unit, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Santander, Spain. 3. Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Santander, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Márqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain. Electronic address: digfge@humv.es.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The achievement of a state of tolerance and minimization of the immunosuppressive load form part of the "Holy Grail" in solid organ transplantation. Galectin-1 recently has been described to be involved in the maintenance of a tolerant environment, but there is no evidence of its role in human liver transplantation. The aim of our study was to measure the serum levels of galectin-1 in stable liver transplant recipients. METHODS: Serum levels of galectin-1 were determined in 30 stable liver transplant recipients who had been free of rejection episodes for at least 8 years. Fifteen patients with an acute rejection episode and 34 healthy subjects were used as the control group. RESULTS: The concentrations of galectin-1 were significantly higher in stable liver transplant recipients compared with healthy subjects and with the acute rejection group. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results indicate that galectin-1 is upregulated in stable liver transplant recipients. Thus, our results extend the recent findings that galectin-1 may play an immune-suppressive role in liver transplantation. It remains to be established whether it might help to induce tolerance in liver transplantation.
INTRODUCTION: The achievement of a state of tolerance and minimization of the immunosuppressive load form part of the "Holy Grail" in solid organ transplantation. Galectin-1 recently has been described to be involved in the maintenance of a tolerant environment, but there is no evidence of its role in human liver transplantation. The aim of our study was to measure the serum levels of galectin-1 in stable liver transplant recipients. METHODS: Serum levels of galectin-1 were determined in 30 stable liver transplant recipients who had been free of rejection episodes for at least 8 years. Fifteen patients with an acute rejection episode and 34 healthy subjects were used as the control group. RESULTS: The concentrations of galectin-1 were significantly higher in stable liver transplant recipients compared with healthy subjects and with the acute rejection group. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results indicate that galectin-1 is upregulated in stable liver transplant recipients. Thus, our results extend the recent findings that galectin-1 may play an immune-suppressive role in liver transplantation. It remains to be established whether it might help to induce tolerance in liver transplantation.
Authors: Ahmad Shaikh; Purevdorj B Olkhanud; Arunakumar Gangaplara; Abdoul Kone; Sajni Patel; Marjan Gucek; Courtney D Fitzhugh Journal: Transplant Cell Ther Date: 2022-02-04