Next Article in Journal
Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein Potently Restricts Human Cytomegalovirus Infection in Endothelial Cells
Next Article in Special Issue
Antifibrotic Soluble Thy-1 Correlates with Renal Dysfunction in Chronic Kidney Disease
Previous Article in Journal
Functional Heterogeneity of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Subpopulations in Physiology and Pathology
Previous Article in Special Issue
Differences of Uric Acid Transporters Carrying Extracellular Vesicles in the Urine from Uric Acid and Calcium Stone Formers and Non-Stone Formers
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Liver Graft Proteomics Reveals Potential Incipient Mechanisms behind Early Renal Dysfunction after Liver Transplantation

1
The Transplant Institute, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden
2
Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden
3
Wallenberg Laboratory, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden
4
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
5
Proteomics Core Facility, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 5, 41390 Gothenburg, Sweden
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(19), 11929; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231911929
Submission received: 6 September 2022 / Revised: 30 September 2022 / Accepted: 4 October 2022 / Published: 8 October 2022
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Renal Diseases)

Abstract

:
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequent after liver transplantation (LT) and correlates with later development of chronic kidney disease. Its etiology is multifactorial and combines pre-, intra-, and postoperative factors. Additionally, the liver graft itself seems an important element in the development of AKI, yet the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that grafts of LT recipients developing significant early AKI may show distinct proteomic alterations, and we set out to identify proteome differences between LT recipients developing moderate or severe AKI (n = 7) and LT recipients without early renal injury (n = 7). Liver biopsies obtained one hour after reperfusion were assessed histologically and using quantitative proteomics. Several cytokines and serum amyloid A2 (SAA2) were analyzed in serum samples obtained preoperatively, 2–4 h, and 20–24 h after graft reperfusion, respectively. LT induced mild histological alterations without significant differences between groups but uniformly altered liver function tests peaking on postoperative day 1, with a trend towards more severe alterations in patients developing AKI. Global quantitative proteomic analysis revealed 136 proteins differing significantly in their expression levels (p < 0.05, FC 20%): 80 proteins had higher and 56 had lower levels in the AKI group. Most of these proteins were related to immune and inflammatory responses, host defense, and neutrophil degranulation. No differences between the studied pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines or SAA2 between groups were found at any moment. Our results suggest that grafts of LT patients who develop early AKI reveal a distinct proteome dominated by an early yet prominent activation of the innate immunity. These findings support the hypothesis that AKI after LT may be favored by certain graft characteristics.

1. Introduction

Early results after liver transplantation (LT) have steadily improved over the last decades, with one-year patient and graft survival frequently exceeding 90% [1,2]. However, long-term outcome does not follow the same trend, and only about 60% of patients are alive ten years after the transplant [3]. The causes behind this attrition are multiple, and include disease recurrence, cardiovascular complications, diabetes, malignancies, or chronic renal failure [4]. The occurrence of chronic renal failure among patients with a nonrenal transplant is associated with an increase by a factor of more than four in the risk of death [5].
Renal dysfunction may occur at any time after LT. Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been reported in up to 95% of LT [6], and is strongly associated with the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The etiology of early AKI is multifactorial and combines pre-transplant (i.e., hepatorenal syndrome), intraoperative (bleeding, hemodynamic instability, post-reperfusion syndrome, medications) and postoperative risk factors (drug toxicity, infections). As the increasing use of livers from extended criteria donors has been paralleled by an increased incidence of early renal injury, the liver graft itself has emerged as an important element in the development of AKI [7,8]. Recent studies indicate that renal metabolism and function are significantly altered only hours after graft reperfusion in the absence of clear hemodynamic or pharmacologic causes [9]. Hence, the mechanisms through which the reperfused liver promotes the remote organ injury remain elusive.
Growing evidence suggests a causative role for liver-related factors, including an advanced hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury (HIRI) [10]. However, routine markers of liver injury such as transaminases and even microscopic examination regularly fail to discriminate between liver recipients who are going to develop AKI or not. Recent advancements in proteomics have allowed detailed insights into multiple biological processes at a previously unattained depth [11]. Using quantitative proteomics, we set out to identify alteration patterns in the livers of patients developing severe AKI after graft reperfusion. We hypothesized that certain liver grafts may show distinct molecular characteristics that may be related to the cascade of events ultimately leading to an impairment in renal function.

2. Results

2.1. Clinical Outcomes

One out of 27 patients initially included in the study required early retransplantation due to primary nonfunction, whereas the remaining 26 patients recovered and showed adequate postoperative liver graft function. Five patients developed AKI stage 1, eleven patients developed AKI stage 2 and 3, whereas the renal function of eleven patients remained unaffected by the LT (AKI stage 0). Liver biopsies were not available in seven patients. Hence, 14 patients (seven patients with and seven without AKI) and their corresponding biopsies form the basis of this report. The main donor and recipient characteristics for these 14 transplants are detailed in Table 1. Most variables were similar in both groups, with the exception of body mass index (BMI) both for the donors and recipients (see Table 1).

2.2. Liver Injury

Liver graft preservation and reperfusion resulted in uniformly altered liver function tests peaking on postoperative day 1, without any significant difference between patients ultimately developing AKI or not (Figure 1). Likewise, HIRI induced only mild liver histological alterations without any significant difference between the histopathological Suzuki score in the two patient groups.

2.3. Proteomic Analysis

In the global quantitative biopsy analysis, a total of 4544 proteins were identified, and 3691 proteins were quantified. Comparing liver graft biopsies from patients with moderate/severe AKI with those from patients without kidney impairment, we found that 136 proteins displayed significant differences in their tissue expression (p < 0.05, FC ≥ 20%); 80 were upregulated and 56 downregulated in the patients developing moderate/severe AKI. Most of these proteins were related to immune and inflammatory responses, host defense, and neutrophil degranulation. The list of significantly regulated proteins, together with fold changes, corresponding p values, and relevant biological processes, are shown in Table 2.
For an overall assessment of proteomic similarities and differences between patients developing moderate/severe AKI with those from patients without kidney impairment, we employed PCA (Figure 2A). The PCA demonstrates that there were small differences between the two groups. Patients without AKI tended to be more similar to each other compared to the more heterogeneous group developing AKI 2 and 3.
Proteins associated with host defense, neutrophil degranulation, immune, and inflammatory responses are indicated in red in the volcano plot (Figure 2B). Several known inflammatory markers or enzymes such as SAA2 and PLA2 were among the most upregulated proteins in the group developing AKI.
For a functional view of the proteomic differences between the groups, hierarchical clustering of the statistically different expressed proteins was performed (Figure 3). The heat map clearly revealed the clustering of the various proteins differentially expressed between the two groups and allowed a distinct delineation of the two patient groups.

2.4. Validation Study—Immunofluorescence

Specific PECAM-1 and APOA1 staining was observed in all biopsies with variations in staining intensity and pattern (Figure 4). PECAM-1 staining was regularly found on the portal and centrilobular vein endothelia, as well as on some arterioles. Focal staining in the sinusoids was observed in some biopsies. Apolipoprotein A1 staining was found mainly in the sinusoids, whereas the central veins were largely negative. There was a strong correlation (Spearman) between proteomics results and the semiquantitative staining assessment (rho = 0.775, p = 0.0008).

2.5. Circulating Cytokines and SAA2

Circulating concentrations of a panel of cytokines were analyzed after 2–4 h and 24 h from graft reperfusion and compared to preoperative levels for each group as well as against healthy individuals (Figure 5). The preoperative levels of several cytokines revealed significant differences compared to healthy individuals which may reflect the underlying liver disease. Patients developing AKI had higher IL-6 at 24 h compared with those without AKI. Cytokines levels were also compared at each time point between the two study groups, but no significant differences in concentration levels were found for any of the tested cytokines.
Preoperative SAA2 levels in LT recipients were similar to those found in healthy subjects. SAA2 remained apparently unaltered by graft reperfusion but its levels decreased significantly 24 h after reperfusion, regardless of the presence of AKI.

3. Discussion

Acute kidney injury is a frequent complication after LT with major implications on overall outcome. Traditionally, the etiology of early AKI has been ascribed to perioperative factors centered around intraoperative hemodynamic alterations and drug toxicity, although more recent evidence suggests that factors related to the liver graft itself may play a role in its development. The current study found a distinct proteomic pattern in the liver grafts of patients who would develop AKI in the immediate early postoperative course.
Five out of the first ten proteins showing higher expression in the AKI grafts are related to inflammation and its development. As all these proteins were already present in the graft early after reperfusion, it is likely that their expressions were more donor-related rather than caused by transplantation/reperfusion. Indeed, SAA2 and PLA-2 can be induced by proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1b and TNF-a [12,13], both universally increased during brain death [14]. Hence, it is likely that the causes behind the differential expression of some of the proteins originate in preprocurement events.
Donor BMI was higher in the AKI grafts, and several grafts in the AKI group showed steatosis, pointing towards a role of altered lipid metabolism in the genesis of AKI after LT. Whereas the negative effect of donor steatosis on recipient and graft outcome is well known [15], a negative impact of donor steatosis on recipient kidneys is less clear. Steatosis increases susceptibility to ischemia/reperfusion injury and ultimately alters microcirculation [16], increases the mitochondrial oxidative injury, or exacerbates the innate immune response, including granulocyte and myeloid cell recruitment and cytokine release [17]. Although the early microscopic assessment did not detect overt differences in HIRI, more subtle molecular events could have evolved differently in lean grafts compared to fatty grafts, ultimately affecting the renal outcome.
The intricate interplay between lipid metabolism and inflammation likely involves numerous molecules and needs to be considered in terms of their coordinated actions. One such candidate molecule appears to be PLA 2, which was found at the top of the protein list showing increased expression in the AKI grafts. Phospholipid degradation is an important event in the development of HIRI [18], as phospholipid hydrolysis by phospholipase A2 causes membrane phospholipid breakdown, and releases free fatty acids including arachidonic acids and lysophospholipids, which serve as precursors of various inflammatory lipid derivatives [19]. Subsequently, arachidonic acid metabolism results in formation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides, which in turn provide potent proinflammatory stimuli. Hence, we suggest that increased PLA2 expression in the liver grafts in the AKI group may have favored a more intense oxidative stress and, eventually, a more intense proinflammatory milieu.
Serum amyloid A2 had the largest fold change between the two study groups, likely signaling a differentially expressed local inflammatory response. At the same time, circulating SAA2 levels did not differ between groups and were within normal range. Upregulation of hepatic SAA2 protein synthesis during the acute phase response requires several hours and involves a synergistic combination of cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α) and glucocorticoids [20,21]. As several hours are needed for SAA2 synthesis, we speculate that the SAA2 increase was likely initiated in the donor. Interestingly, circulating SAA2 levels dropped significantly 24 h after reperfusion, suggesting either short-lived or weak stimuli or a negative regulation, pharmacologic or biological, occurring during the first 24 h after graft reperfusion. Additionally, circulating IL-6 (but no other proinflammatory cytokines) appeared higher in patients developing AKI, further supporting the hypothesis of an inflammatory mechanism behind the post-transplant AKI.
The global proteomic analysis identified the differential tissue expression of numerous proteins involved in neutrophil degranulation in the two groups. Neutrophil infiltration and degranulation are essential, well-known events during the inflammatory phase of the reperfusion injury. Several cathepsins, lysosomal proteases which primarily act as proteolytic enzymes involved in tissue remodeling [22], were among the proteins differing the most between groups. Besides neutrophil degranulation, cathepsins also regulate apoptosis, autophagy, and activation of hormones, with cathepsin C as an emblematic member of the cathepsin family. Interestingly, our study found three distinct cathepsins among the proteins differing most between the two groups. Whereas the exact significance and consequences of increased cathepsin C, F, and Z remain unclear, it is likely that they reflect the ongoing neutrophil infiltration and degranulation, multiple ongoing cleavage processes, and activation of various substrates following HIRI [23]. Although the lytic effects are most likely local, systemic secretion and effects on distant organs cannot be excluded [24]. The intense ongoing proteolytic activity is further supported by the increased expression of other proteases, such as dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), aminopeptidase N (ANPEP), carboxypeptidase Q (CPQ), and hydrolases (N-sulphoglucosamine sulphohydrolase), in the grafts of patients developing AKI.
Although the microscopic examination of these early biopsies did not discern differences between the grafts of recipients developing AKI or not, the different trend in transaminase leak suggests different degrees of hepatocellular injury (i.e., HIRI) occurring in these two study groups. An earlier analysis found that peak AST was an independent risk factor for the development of AKI after liver transplantation, directly linking HIRI to renal injury [10]. This hypothesis is also supported by experimental evidence where plasma ALT and creatinine (and renal dysfunction) had a direct and linear relationship following murine HIRI [25]. Nonetheless, although transaminases can be informative regarding HIRI status, both AST and ALT levels initially increase manifold regardless of the severity of HIRI. A large clinical study where liver grafts were assessed both histologically and using routine liver function tests suggests instead that the drop in transaminases and its levels towards the end of the first post-transplant week could discriminate between patients with or without histologically proven HIRI [26]. If this holds true, the current results may actually suggest that liver graft recipients developing AKI may have in fact had a more advanced HIRI.
This dataset differs significantly from the limited available proteomics data in human livers undergoing ischemia–reperfusion injury or transplantation [27]. An explanation is the different study design and hypothesis but also the state-of-the-art proteomics used herein. An earlier study by Vascotto et al., using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) on liver graft samples, identified around 900 proteins, with 36 proteins differentially expressed during HIRI [28]. However, many of these proteins were found in as little as only one out of the nine paired samples, and the conclusions of the study were rather limited. Another similar study could identify 1580 proteins in total, with just about 140 proteins altered during reperfusion of the liver. Similarly to the study of Vascotto et al., only several proteins of these were consistently found in most of the studied grafts [29].
This analysis adds novel and comprehensive information on the proteome of liver grafts in patients ultimately developing AKI. This hypothesis has not been addressed so far as most studies focused on the development and analysis of HIRI [27]. A strength of this study is the high-performing global mass spectrometry used herein, allowing us to identify over four thousand distinct proteins and allowing its quantitative assessment. This is in contrast to the limited available data on HIRI using proteomics, which is mostly based on older proteomic strategies with low output and subject to technical errors. Another strength is the delayed introduction of tacrolimus which allowed us to exclude CNI nephrotoxicity as cause of early renal impairment. Besides that, tacrolimus has known modulating effects on reperfusion injury, which could have influenced multiple signaling pathways and biological processes [30,31].
The ongoing controversy regarding whether small postoperative increases in serum creatinine level (KDIGO grade 1) are due to AKI or not [32] led us to exclude patients developing mild kidney injury from the analysis, following their prospective inclusion. Apart from renal causes, serum creatinine can be affected by acute changes in creatinine production and/or sarcopenia as well as an altered volume of distribution. Hence, this exclusion was made in order to ensure that renal injury is the dominant cause behind the creatinine increase, obtaining a less heterogenous group as well as reducing the potential biologic variability.
This study is limited by the rather short observation time after graft reperfusion and by tissue sampling being performed at only one time point, which precluded in-depth analyses on the dynamics of certain proteins or pathways and advanced mechanistic hypotheses. It is likely that the molecular landscape will change dramatically over the first hours and days due to the intense transcriptional activity after graft reperfusion [33]. Indeed, a proteomic analysis of human livers undergoing cold storage and reperfusion revealed rapid alterations (both increases and decreases) of about 30 proteins (adaptors, kinases, GTPases) involved in signaling and cytoskeleton remodeling as soon as ten minutes after reperfusion, followed by further changes during the first hour of reperfusion [34]. Although the current data provide only a snapshot from a very complex and evolving process, they allow to delineate a group of grafts whose recipients will develop early renal complications. We find it likely and very interesting that the short time lapse from reperfusion until obtaining the biopsy did not allow for de novo protein synthesis, and, probably, at the same time, also limited the protein degradation due to oxidative stress and protease activation. Overall, we assume that many of the differences noted herein were due to initial differential expression in the donor, rather than protein degradation during cold storage and after reperfusion.
In conclusion, we found that grafts of LT patients who develop early AKI have a distinct proteome dominated by an early activation of the innate immunity, supporting the hypothesis that AKI after LT may be favored by intrinsic graft characteristics.

4. Materials and Methods

4.1. Patients and Study Design

The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board in Gothenburg (Dnr: 598-13) and was conducted in accordance with the 2013 Declaration of Helsinki. Twenty-seven nonconsecutive patients undergoing primary liver transplantation between March 2014 and February 2015 were initially enrolled in the study. Donor livers were perfused and stored in either histidine–tryptophan–ketoglutarate solution (Custodiol, Fresenius, Bad Alsbach, Germany), Belzer-University of Wisconsin solution (Carnamedica, Warsaw, Poland) or Institute Georges Lopez-1 (IGL-1) (Institute Georges Lopez, Lissieu, France) solution, and kept in static cold storage until transplantation. A detailed description of all 27 donor and recipient characteristics, as well as the perioperative management, is presented elsewhere [35]. In short, liver transplantation was performed with the preservation of the recipient vena cava without the use of veno-venous bypass or portocaval shunts. Liver graft reperfusion was initiated after completion of the cavo-caval and portal vein anastomoses and before performing the arterial and biliary anastomoses. Cold ischemia time (CIT) was defined as duration from the start of cold perfusion in the donor to portal reperfusion in the recipient. Immunosuppression consisted of induction with intravenous basiliximab (day 0 and POD 4) and intraoperative corticosteroids. Maintenance immunosuppression consisted of mycophenolate mofetil introduced on day 0 and tacrolimus introduced on POD 3, with additional oral corticosteroids for patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis and autoimmune hepatitis.
A liver graft biopsy was obtained using a 14-gauge automated biopsy gun at the end of the transplant procedure, about 1 h after reperfusion. Biopsies were placed in buffered formalin until processing. A blood sample was obtained preoperatively, 2–4 h, and 20–24 h after graft reperfusion, respectively. Serum was recovered and stored in aliquots at −80 °C until analysis.
Patients were considered to have renal dysfunction if they presented AKI stage 2 and 3 according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) criteria (see below) within the first 48 h after graft reperfusion. Patients without any evidence of renal dysfunction (stage 0) during the same timeframe formed a control group. Patients showing only mild renal dysfunction (stage 1) were excluded from the analyses.

4.2. Assessment of Organ Dysfunction

Daily liver function tests (AST, ALT, bilirubin, INR) were recorded over the first week as a surrogate marker of HIRI, whereas daily serum creatinine levels within the first week were used to evaluate early AKI. AKI was defined according to the KDIGO criteria and stages, without the inclusion of urine output in the creatinine-based formula [36]. The four stages are as follows: no AKI; AKI stage 1: rise in serum creatinine of 1.5–1.9 times baseline or an increase of ≥0.3 mg/dL within 48 h; stage 2: rise in serum creatinine of 2.0–2.9 times baseline; and stage 3: 3 times baseline or an increase in serum creatinine to ≥4.0 mg/dL or need for renal replacement therapy.

4.3. Histology

Formalin-fixed tissue was paraffinized, embedded, and cut into five-micron sections. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and assessed by an experienced transplant pathologist using the Suzuki score (Table 3) [37].
Immunofluorescence was used to confirm the results of the global proteomics analysis. We studied the expression of apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) and platelet–endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM)-1 according to the Opal protocol (PerkinElmer/Akoya, Waltham, MA, USA) according to manufacturers’ instructions using primary antibodies against ApoA1 (#ab52945, Abcam, UK) and PECAM-1 (#ab281583, Abcam). Slides were then examined blindly by an experienced pathologist, and protein overall expression was evaluated semiquantitatively from weak (+) to strong (+++). The results were then correlated with the proteomics (Spearman).

4.4. Global Protein Quantification

Proteins were quantified relatively as previously described [38]. In short, proteins were extracted from the formalin-fixed paraffin embedded samples and digested using a modified filter aided sample preparation protocol. Peptide samples were chemically labeled with tandem-mass-tag (TMT, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) for relative quantification, and the 20 fractions for each set from basic reverse phase separation were analyzed with nanoLC on an Orbitrap Fusion Tribrid mass spectrometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific) operating in MultiNoch MS3 mode. Protein identification and quantification were performed with Proteome Discoverer version 2.4 (Thermo Fisher Scientific) matching against Swissprot Homo sapiens database (January 2021). Differential expression analysis using a two-sample t-test on log2-transformed data was performed using the Perseus software (1.6.15.0) and R. Proteins with a p value < 0.05 and fold change (FC) ≥ 20% were considered differentially expressed.

4.5. Cytokine and Serum Amyloid A2

Samples were analyzed for a panel of cytokines using the multiplex technique. Serum concentration of IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, and TNF-α was determined by the electrochemiluminescence multiplex system Sector 2400 imager from Meso Scale Discovery (K15049D-1, Gaithersburg, MD, USA). Analytes below detection limit were inputted as half the lower limit of detection in order to facilitate statistical analysis.
SAA2 serum levels were evaluated in duplicate using an ELISA kit (LS-BIO, LS-F4984, Seattle, WA, USA) according to the manufacturer’s protocol.

4.6. Statistical Analysis

For the proteomic analysis, the differential expression analysis was performed using the Perseus software (1.6.15.0) and R. Differentially expressed proteins were identified by using a two-sample t-test on log-transformed data. Proteins with a p value < 0.05 and fold change ≥ 20% were considered differentially expressed. Principal component analysis (PCA) and heat maps were used as quality control for the samples and clustering of groups. Patient-related variables were analyzed using GraphPad Prism 5.0 (Graphpad, San Diego, CA, USA). Categorical variables were assessed using chi square test, whereas continuous variables were analyzed using nonparametric tests (Kruskal–Wallis test followed by Mann–Whitney test), due to the small sample size and distribution of the results. A p value less than 0.05 denoted statistical significance.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, Å.N., M.O., S.F. and G.H.; methodology, Å.N., M.O., A.M. and A.T.; software, C.S. and A.T; formal analysis, Å.N., M.O., A.M. and A.T.; investigation, Å.N., M.O., J.M. and G.H.; resources, M.O. and S.F.; writing—original draft preparation, Å.N., M.O. and A.T.; writing—review and editing, S.F., A.M., J.M., C.S. and G.H.; supervision, M.O. and G.H. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by grants from Gothenburg Society of Medicine (GLS-972660), the Swedish Kidney Foundation (to ÅN) and grant ALFGBG-965015 from the Swedish state under the agreement between the Swedish government and the country councils (to MO).

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board in Gothenburg (Dnr: 598-13).

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.

Data Availability Statement

Access to anonymized data will be granted upon reasonable request, on condition that researchers have appropriate ethical permission and sign the appropriate Material Transfer Agreement form.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

References

  1. Adam, R.; Karam, V.; Cailliez, V.; OGrady, J.G.; Mirza, D.; Cherqui, D.; Klempnauer, J.; Salizzoni, M.; Pratschke, J.; Jamieson, N.; et al. 2018 Annual Report of the European Liver Transplant Registry (ELTR)—50-year evolution of liver transplantation. Improvement in early posttransplant patient survival has increased the importance of understanding the causes and risk factors for late posttransplant mortality. Transpl. Int. 2018, 31, 1293–1317. [Google Scholar] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  2. Kwong, A.J.; Ebel, N.H.; Kim, W.R.; Lake, J.R.; Smith, J.M.; Schladt, D.P.; Skeans, M.A.; Foutz, J.; Gauntt, K.; Cafarella, M.; et al. OPTN/SRTR 2020 Annual Data Report: Liver. Am. J. Transplant. 2022, 22 (Suppl. 2), 204–309. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  3. Lindenger, C.; Castedal, M.; Schult, A.; Åberg, F. Long-term survival and predictors of relapse and survival after liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease. Scand. J. Gastroenterol. 2018, 53, 1553–1561. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  4. Watt, K.D.; Pedersen, R.A.; Kremers, W.K.; Heimbach, J.K.; Charlton, M.R. Evolution of causes and risk factors for mortality post-liver transplant: Results of the NIDDK long-term follow-up study. Am. J. Transplant. 2010, 10, 1420–1427. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  5. Ojo, A.O.; Held, P.J.; Port, F.K.; Wolfe, R.A.; Leichtman, A.B.; Young, E.W.; Arndorfer, J.; Christensen, L.; Merion, R.M. Chronic renal failure after transplantation of a nonrenal organ. N. Engl. J. Med. 2003, 349, 931–940. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  6. Barri, Y.M.; Sanchez, E.Q.; Jennings, L.W.; Melton, L.B.; Hays, S.; Levy, M.F.; Klintmalm, G.B. Acute kidney injury following liver transplantation: Definition and outcome. Liver Transpl. 2009, 15, 475–483. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  7. Leithead, J.A.; Rajoriya, N.; Gunson, B.K.; Muiesan, P.; Ferguson, J.W. The evolving use of higher risk grafts is associated with an increased incidence of acute kidney injury after liver transplantation. J. Hepatol. 2014, 60, 1180–1186. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  8. Umbro, I.; Tinti, F.; Scalera, I.; Evison, F.; Gunson, B.; Sharif, A.; Ferguson, J.; Muiesan, P.; Mitterhofer, A.P. Acute kidney injury and post-reperfusion syndrome in liver transplantation. World J. Gastroenterol. 2016, 22, 9314–9323. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  9. Skytte Larsson, J.; Bragadottir, G.; Redfors, B.; Ricksten, S.E. Renal function and oxygenation are impaired early after liver transplantation despite hyperdynamic systemic circulation. Crit. Care 2017, 21, 87. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  10. Jochmans, I.; Meurisse, N.; Neyrinck, A.; Verhaegen, M.; Monbaliu, D.; Pirenne, J. Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury associates with acute kidney injury in liver transplantation: Prospective cohort study. Liver Transpl. 2017, 23, 634–644. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  11. Oltean, M.; Bagge, J.; Dindelegan, G.; Kenny, D.; Molinaro, A.; Hellström, M.; Nilsson, O.; Sihlbom, C.; Casselbrant, A.; Davila, M.; et al. The Proteomic Signature of Intestinal Acute Rejection in the Mouse. Metabolites 2021, 12, 23. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  12. Crowl, R.M.; Stoller, T.J.; Conroy, R.R.; Stoner, C.R. Induction of phospholipase A2 gene expression in human hepatoma cells by mediators of the acute phase response. J. Biol. Chem. 1991, 266, 2647–2651. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  13. Moshage, H. Cytokines and the hepatic acute phase response. J. Pathol. 1997, 181, 257–266. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  14. Pullerits, R.; Oltean, S.; Flodén, A.; Oltean, M. Circulating resistin levels are early and significantly increased in deceased brain dead organ donors, correlate with inflammatory cytokine response and remain unaffected by steroid treatment. J. Transl. Med. 2015, 13, 201. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  15. Chu, M.J.; Dare, A.J.; Phillips, A.R.; Bartlett, A.S. Donor Hepatic Steatosis and Outcome After Liver Transplantation: A Systematic Review. J. Gastrointest. Surg. 2015, 19, 1713–1724. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  16. Seifalian, A.M.; Chidambaram, V.; Rolles, K.; Davidson, B.R. In Vivo demonstration of impaired microcirculation in steatotic human liver grafts. Liver Transpl. Surg. 1998, 4, 71–77. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  17. Gehrau, R.C.; Mas, V.R.; Dumur, C.I.; Suh, J.L.; Sharma, A.K.; Cathro, H.P.; Maluf, D.G. Donor Hepatic Steatosis Induce Exacerbated Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Through Activation of Innate Immune Response Molecular Pathways. Transplantation 2015, 99, 2523–2533. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  18. Adibhatla, R.M.; Hatcher, J.F.; Dempsey, R.J. Cytidine-5′-diphosphocholine affects CTP-phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase and lyso-phosphatidylcholine after transient brain ischemia. J. Neurosci. Res. 2004, 76, 390–396. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  19. Ogata, K.; Jin, M.B.; Taniguchi, M.; Suzuki, T.; Shimamura, T.; Kitagawa, N.; Magata, S.; Fukai, M.; Ishikawa, H.; Ono, T.; et al. Attenuation of ischemia and reperfusion injury of canine livers by inhibition of type II phospholipase A2 with LY329722. Transplantation 2001, 71, 1040–1046. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  20. Uhlar, C.M.; Whitehead, A.S. The kinetics and magnitude of the synergistic activation of the serum amyloid A promoter by IL-1 beta and IL-6 is determined by the order of cytokine addition. Scand. J. Immunol. 1999, 49, 399–404. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  21. De Buck, M.; Gouwy, M.; Wang, J.M.; Van Snick, J.; Proost, P.; Struyf, S.; Van Damme, J. The cytokine-serum amyloid A-chemokine network. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2016, 30, 55–69. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  22. Ruiz-Blázquez, P.; Pistorio, V.; Fernández-Fernández, M.; Moles, A. The multifaceted role of cathepsins in liver disease. J. Hepatol. 2021, 75, 1192–1202. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  23. Nakamura, K.; Kageyama, S.; Kupiec-Weglinski, J.W. The Evolving Role of Neutrophils in Liver Transplant Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Curr. Transplant. Rep. 2019, 6, 78–89. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  24. Hamon, Y.; Legowska, M.; Hervé, V.; Dallet-Choisy, S.; Marchand-Adam, S.; Vanderlynden, L.; Demonte, M.; Williams, R.; Scott, C.J.; Si-Tahar, M.; et al. Neutrophilic Cathepsin C Is Maturated by a Multistep Proteolytic Process and Secreted by Activated Cells during Inflammatory Lung Diseases. J. Biol. Chem. 2016, 291, 8486–8499. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  25. Lee, H.T.; Park, S.W.; Kim, M.; D’Agati, V.D. Acute kidney injury after hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury in mice. Lab Investig. 2009, 89, 196–208. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  26. Sosa, R.A.; Zarrinpar, A.; Rossetti, M.; Lassman, C.R.; Naini, B.V.; Datta, N.; Rao, P.; Harre, N.; Zheng, Y.; Spreafico, R.; et al. Early cytokine signatures of ischemia/reperfusion injury in human orthotopic liver transplantation. JCI Insight. 2016, 1, e89679. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  27. López-López, V.; Pérez-Sánz, F.; de Torre-Minguela, C.; Marco-Abenza, J.; Robles-Campos, R.; Sánchez-Bueno, F.; Pons, J.A.; Ramírez, P.; Baroja-Mazo, A. Proteomics in Liver Transplantation: A Systematic Review. Front. Immunol. 2021, 12, 672829. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  28. Vascotto, C.; Cesaratto, L.; D’Ambrosio, C.; Scaloni, A.; Avellini, C.; Paron, I.; Baccarani, U.; Adani, G.L.; Tiribelli, C.; Quadrifoglio, F.; et al. Proteomic analysis of liver tissues subjected to early ischemia/reperfusion injury during human orthotopic liver transplantation. Proteomics 2006, 6, 3455–3465. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  29. Cai, H.; Qi, S.; Yan, Q.; Ling, J.; Du, J.; Chen, L. Global proteome profiling of human livers upon ischemia/reperfusion treatment. Clin. Proteom. 2021, 18, 3. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  30. Garcia-Criado, F.J.; Palma-Vargas, J.M.; Valdunciel-Garcia, J.J.; Toledo, A.H.; Misawa, K.; Gomez-Alonso, A.; Toledo-Pereyra, L.H. Tacrolimus (FK506) down-regulates free radical tissue levels, serum cytokines, and neutrophil infiltration after severe liver ischemia. Transplantation 1997, 64, 594–598. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  31. Oltean, M.; Pullerits, R.; Zhu, C.; Blomgren, K.; Hallberg, E.C.; Olausson, M. Donor pretreatment with FK506 reduces reperfusion injury and accelerates intestinal graft recovery in rats. Surgery 2007, 141, 667–677. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  32. Romagnoli, S.; Ricci, Z.; Ronco, C. Perioperative Acute Kidney Injury: Prevention, Early Recognition, and Supportive Measures. Nephron 2018, 140, 105–110. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  33. Jassem, W.; Fuggle, S.; Thompson, R.; Arno, M.; Taylor, J.; Byrne, J.; Heaton, N.; Rela, M. Effect of ischemic preconditioning on the genomic response to reperfusion injury in deceased donor liver transplantation. Liver Transpl. 2009, 15, 1750–1765. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  34. Emadali, A.; Muscatelli-Groux, B.; Delom, F.; Jenna, S.; Boismenu, D.; Sacks, D.B.; Metrakos, P.P.; Chevet, E. Proteomic analysis of ischemia-reperfusion injury upon human liver transplantation reveals the protective role of IQGAP1. Mol. Cell. Proteom. 2006, 5, 1300–1313. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  35. Norén, Å.; Åberg, F.; Mölne, J.; Bennet, W.; Friman, S.; Herlenius, G. Perioperative kidney injury in liver transplantation: A prospective study with renal histology and measured glomerular filtration rates. Scand. J. Gastroenterol. 2022, 57, 595–602. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  36. Khwaja, A. KDIGO clinical practice guidelines for acute kidney injury. Nephron Clin. Pract. 2012, 120, c179–c184. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  37. Suzuki, S.; Nakamura, S.; Koizumi, T.; Sakaguchi, S.; Baba, S.; Muro, H.; Fujise, Y. The beneficial effect of a prostaglandin I2 analog on ischemic rat liver. Transplantation 1991, 52, 979–983. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  38. Crescitelli, R.; Lässer, C.; Jang, S.C.; Cvjetkovic, A.; Malmhäll, C.; Karimi, N.; Höög, J.L.; Johansson, I.; Fuchs, J.; Thorsell, A.; et al. Subpopulations of extracellular vesicles from human metastatic melanoma tissue identified by quantitative proteomics after optimized isolation. J. Extracell. Vesicles 2020, 9, 1722433. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Figure 1. Biochemical and histological assessment of the ischemia–reperfusion injury. Daily liver function tests over the first week in patients without (white bars) and with acute kidney injury (black bars), semiquantitative assessment of the histology (Suzuki score), and representative microphotographs (hematoxylin–eosin, original magnification ×200). AKI: acute kidney injury; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; D: day. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01.
Figure 1. Biochemical and histological assessment of the ischemia–reperfusion injury. Daily liver function tests over the first week in patients without (white bars) and with acute kidney injury (black bars), semiquantitative assessment of the histology (Suzuki score), and representative microphotographs (hematoxylin–eosin, original magnification ×200). AKI: acute kidney injury; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; D: day. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01.
Ijms 23 11929 g001
Figure 2. Principal component analysis showing data distribution in patients with acute kidney injury (blue) and without renal impairment (red) (A) and volcano plot indicating the proteins (red dots) showing both the magnitude of fold changes (x axis) and high statistical significance (-log10 of p values, y axis) (B).
Figure 2. Principal component analysis showing data distribution in patients with acute kidney injury (blue) and without renal impairment (red) (A) and volcano plot indicating the proteins (red dots) showing both the magnitude of fold changes (x axis) and high statistical significance (-log10 of p values, y axis) (B).
Ijms 23 11929 g002
Figure 3. Heat map view and hierarchical clustering of the proteins showing significant differences between the two groups. The horizontal tree indicates the proteins, and the vertical tree indicates the 14 patients analyzed. The color scheme in the cluster analysis is from blue (low) to red (high), and protein identities are listed on the right.
Figure 3. Heat map view and hierarchical clustering of the proteins showing significant differences between the two groups. The horizontal tree indicates the proteins, and the vertical tree indicates the 14 patients analyzed. The color scheme in the cluster analysis is from blue (low) to red (high), and protein identities are listed on the right.
Ijms 23 11929 g003
Figure 4. Detection of apolipoprotein A1 (pink, ApoA1) and platelet–endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (green, PECAM-1) by double immunofluorescence staining in postreperfusion liver biopsies. ApoA1 expression ranged from low (A) to high (B) and showed sinusoidal staining pattern; PECAM-1 expression was found on larger vessels (centrolobular and portal veins, arterioles). Nuclei were counterstained with DAPI (blue). Original magnification ×200.
Figure 4. Detection of apolipoprotein A1 (pink, ApoA1) and platelet–endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (green, PECAM-1) by double immunofluorescence staining in postreperfusion liver biopsies. ApoA1 expression ranged from low (A) to high (B) and showed sinusoidal staining pattern; PECAM-1 expression was found on larger vessels (centrolobular and portal veins, arterioles). Nuclei were counterstained with DAPI (blue). Original magnification ×200.
Ijms 23 11929 g004
Figure 5. Serum concentration of several cytokines and serum amyloid A2 (SAA2) in patients without (light grey bars) and with acute kidney injury (dark grey bars) and in a group of healthy controls (white bars, n = 6). IL—interleukin, IFN—interferon. Lowest limits of detection were as follows: IFN-γ: 0.37 pg/mL, IL-1β: 0.05 pg/mL, IL-2: 0.09 pg/mL, IL-4: 0.02 pg/mL, IL-6: 0.06 pg/mL, IL-8: 0.07 pg/mL, IL-10: 0.04 pg/mL, IL-12p70: 0.11 pg/mL, IL-13: 0.24 pg/mL, TNF-α: 0.04 pg/mL. * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01.
Figure 5. Serum concentration of several cytokines and serum amyloid A2 (SAA2) in patients without (light grey bars) and with acute kidney injury (dark grey bars) and in a group of healthy controls (white bars, n = 6). IL—interleukin, IFN—interferon. Lowest limits of detection were as follows: IFN-γ: 0.37 pg/mL, IL-1β: 0.05 pg/mL, IL-2: 0.09 pg/mL, IL-4: 0.02 pg/mL, IL-6: 0.06 pg/mL, IL-8: 0.07 pg/mL, IL-10: 0.04 pg/mL, IL-12p70: 0.11 pg/mL, IL-13: 0.24 pg/mL, TNF-α: 0.04 pg/mL. * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01.
Ijms 23 11929 g005
Table 1. Donor and recipient characteristics. Data are given as n (%) or median (IQR). * Etiologies are not mutually exclusive. ** Polycystic liver disease (n = 1). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (n = 1). AKI: acute kidney injury; BMI: body mass index; ICU: intensive care unit; DRI: donor risk index; MELD: Model for End-stage Liver Disease; mGFR: measured glomerular filtration rate; RRT: renal replacement therapy.
Table 1. Donor and recipient characteristics. Data are given as n (%) or median (IQR). * Etiologies are not mutually exclusive. ** Polycystic liver disease (n = 1). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (n = 1). AKI: acute kidney injury; BMI: body mass index; ICU: intensive care unit; DRI: donor risk index; MELD: Model for End-stage Liver Disease; mGFR: measured glomerular filtration rate; RRT: renal replacement therapy.
All (n = 14)AKI 0 (n = 7)AKI 2 + 3
(n = 7)
p Value
Donor
 Age, years62 (33–67)45 (25–71)62 (59–64)0.97
 Gender: female/male4/102/52/51
 BMI25 (23–29)23 (18–28)29 (24–30)0.04
 Cause of death
  Cerebrovascular accident5140.27
  Trauma6510.10
  Other3121
ICU stay, hours36 (25–58)36 (16–65)36 (28–57)1
Preservation solution: Custodiol/UW/IGL-19/3/26/1/03/2/20.34
DRI1.8 (1.3–1.9)1.4 (1.3–1.8)1.9 (1.4–2.0)0.02
Cold ischemia time, min431 (374–625)437 (375–637)399 (372–621)0.81
Recipient
Age, years44 (34–56)41 (24–57)49 (28–56)1
Gender: female/male2/121/61/61
BMI25 (20–29)20 (19–27)29 (21–32)0.03
Diabetes Mellitus2020.46
MELD score12 (7–15)8 (7–12)15 (12–20)0.03
Ascites6331
Etiology of liver disease *
Primary sclerosing cholangitis6331
Alcohol2200.46
Hepatitis B virus1101
Hepatitis C virus3030.19
Hepatocellular carcinoma4130.56
Other **211
Duration of surgery, hours6 (6–8)6 (5.5–7.5)8 (6–9.5)0.27
Intraoperative bleeding, mL1150 (575–2425)650 (500–2500)1800 (1000–2400)0.33
Serum creatinine at admission, mg/dL0.78 (0.64–1.0)0.8 (0.71–1.0)0.76 (0.62–1.03)0.60
mGFR, ml/min/1.73 m²102 (98–109)99 (84–110)102 (101–103)0.52
Post-reperfusion syndrome0
ICU stay, hours22 (15–50)24 (16–54)20 (14–49)0.90
RRT0
Table 2. List of proteins differentially expressed in the liver grafts of patients developing early AKI compared to liver grafts of patients with uneventful course.
Table 2. List of proteins differentially expressed in the liver grafts of patients developing early AKI compared to liver grafts of patients with uneventful course.
AccessionGene SymbolDescriptionFold Changes
(Average Value)
p ValueBiological ProcessBiological Function
P0DJI9SAA2Serum amyloid A-2 protein12.870.03InflammationAcute-phase protein
P11678EPXEosinophil peroxidase3.530.03InflammationNeutrophil degranulation
P02461COL3A1Collagen alpha-1(III) chain2.60<0.01Cell structureAssembly of collagen
P14555PLA2G2APhospholipase A2, membrane associated2.520.04InflammationAntimicrobial peptide
P62736ACTA2Actin2.510.03Cell structureVascular smooth muscle contraction
Q14108SCARB2Lysosome membrane protein 22.410.02TransportLysosome structure
P09210GSTA2Glutathione S-transferase A22.24<0.01Cell differentiationGlutathione conjugation
Q9UBX1CTSFCathepsin F2.220.05InflammationMHC-II antigen presentation
P41219PRPHPeripherin2.150.05Cell structureAxonal regeneration after injury
P35749MYH11Myosin-112.110.03Structural proteinSmooth muscle contraction
P21810BGNBiglycan2.100.04Cell structureArticular cartilage development
P55327TPD52Tumor protein D521.920.01Cell differentiationGolgi associated vesicle biosynthesis
P51888PRELPProlargin1.830.02Cell agingAnchoring collagen I-II
Q9UBR2CTSZCathepsin Z1.830.04InflammationProteolysis, metabolism of angiotensinogen to angiotensins, neutrophil degranulation
Q9Y646CPQCarboxypeptidase Q1.790.01Metabolic processPost-translation protein modification
O76070SNCGGamma-synuclein1.750.04Cell-cell interactionNeurofilament network integrity
Q8IV08PLD35’-3’ exonuclease PLD31.740.01InflammationPhagocytosis, synthesis of phosphatidylglycerol
Q9NVA2SEPTIN11Septin-111.730.02Cell divisionBacterial invasion of epithelial cells
P27487DPP4Dipeptidyl peptidase 41.640.04Metabolic processProtein digestion and absorption GLP1
Q9UBX5FBLN5Fibulin-51.640.02Cell structureElastic fibers associated protein
P54803GALCGalactocerebrosidase1.630.02Metabolic processGlycosphingolipid metabolism
O00115DNASE2Deoxyribonuclease-2-alpha1.600.04Cell deathLysosome components
Q9BTY2FUCA2Plasma alpha-L-fucosidase1.600.04Metabolic processRegulation of insulin-like growth factor transport and uptake
P55001MFAP2Microfibrillar-associated protein 21.570.02Cell structureElastic fibers associated protein
P15144ANPEPAminopeptidase N1.560.01AngiogenesisMetabolism of angiotensinogen to angiotensins, neutrophil degranulation
P16070CD44CD44 antigen1.530.03Cell-cell interaction. Inflammation.Hyaluronan collagen interaction protein
P53634CTSCDipeptidyl peptidase 11.530.05Immune responseChaperon binding
P19440GGT1Glutathione hydrolase 1 proenzyme1.520.03Metabolic processGlutathione synthesis and recycling
P51809VAMP7Vesicle-associated membrane protein 71.520.04TransportCargo recognition for clathrin-mediated endocytosis, Golgi associated vesicle biogenesis
Q10589BST2Bone marrow stromal antigen 21.490.01InflammationInterferon alpha/beta signaling, neutrophil degranulation
O14558HSPB6Heat shock protein beta-61.480.03Metabolic processSmooth muscle vasorelaxation and cardiac myocyte contractility
Q99536VAT1Synaptic vesicle membrane protein VAT-11.470.01Metabolic processNeutrophil degranulation
O00754MAN2B1Lysosomal alpha-mannosidase1.460.04Metabolic processLysosomal oligosaccharide catabolism, neutrophil degranulation
P08236GUSBBeta-glucuronidase1.450.04Metabolic processDegradation of dermatan and keratan sulphate
P51688SGSHN-sulphoglucosamine sulphohydrolase1.450.01Metabolic processHeparan sulfate degradation
Q9H2V7SPNS1Protein spinster homolog 11.450.05TransportSphingolipid transporter
Q16853AOC3Membrane primary amine oxidase1.43<0.01InflammationPhase I functionalization of compounds
Q96BM9ARL8AADP-ribosylation factor-like protein 8A1.420.03Cell divisionLysosome motility
P10619CTSALysosomal protective protein1.410.05InflammationGlycosphingolipid metabolism. Neutrophil degranulation
P16284PECAM1Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule1.410.04InflammationLeukocyte trans-endothelial migration
P54802NAGLUAlpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase1.410.04Metabolic processDegradation of heparan sulphate
Q14249ENDOGEndonuclease G1.39<0.01Cell agingApoptosis
O75751SLC22A3Solute carrier family 22 member 31.380.03TransportAbacavir transmembrane transport
P04066FUCA1Tissue alpha-L-fucosidase1.360.03InflammationNeutrophil degranulation
Q08722CD47Leukocyte surface antigen CD471.350.02Cell-cell interaction. InflammationModulation of integrins
O75746SLC25A12Calcium-binding mitochondrial carrier protein Aralar11.340.05TransportEpileptic encephalopathy
P16278GLB1Beta-galactosidase1.320.05Metabolic processGalactose metabolism
Q86Y39NDUFA11NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1 alpha subcomplex subunit 111.320.01Metabolic processComplex I biogenesis
Q8N386LRRC25Leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 251.32<0.01InflammationInterferon signaling pathway
P07203GPX1Glutathione peroxidase 11.310.04Cell deathDetoxification of reactive oxygen species
Q92542NCSTNNicastrin1.310.01Cell proliferationAlzheimer’s disease, NOTCH signaling pathway
Q96NB2SFXN2Sideroflexin-21.310.03TransportTransport of serine into mitochondria
Q9NQC3RTN4Reticulon-41.310.03Cell structureFormation and stabilization of ER tubules
Q9NZD2GLTPGlycolipid transfer protein1.310.02TransportTransfer of various glycosphingolipids
Q9Y336SIGLEC9Sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin 91.310.01Metabolic processSialic-acid dependent binding to cells
P08648ITGA5Integrin alpha-51.300.04Cell differentiationInteraction with fibronectin and fibrinogen
P20674COX5ACytochrome c oxidase subunit 5A1.290.01Metabolic processOxidative phosphorylation
Q9NY15STAB1Stabilin-11.280.03Cell-cell interactionScavenger receptor for acetylated low-density lipoprotein
P56556NDUFA6NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1 alpha subcomplex subunit 61.27<0.01Metabolic processNADH to the respiratory chain
Q8TBC4UBA3NEDD8-activating enzyme E1 catalytic subunit1.270.01Metabolic processAntigen processing: ubiquitination and proteasome degradation
Q9H8M1COQ10BCoenzyme Q-binding protein COQ10 homolog B1.270.01Metabolic processRespiratory electron transport
O43674NDUFB5NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1 beta subcomplex subunit 51.250.03Metabolic processMitochondrial membrane respiratory chain NADH dehydrogenase
O75306NDUFS2NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] iron-sulfur protein 21.250.01Metabolic processNADH to the respiratory chain
P03915ND5NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase chain 51.250.02TransportComplex I biogenesis
Q9NZN4EHD2EH domain-containing protein 21.250.03TransportEndocytosis, internalization of GLUT4
P28331NDUFS1NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase 75 kDa subunit1.240.01Metabolic processMitochondrial membrane respiratory chain
P36969GPX4Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase1.240.05Metabolic processGlutathione metabolism
P51178PLCD11-phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate phosphodiesterase delta-11.240.04Metabolic processThe production of the second messenger molecules
Q9UI09NDUFA12NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1 alpha subcomplex subunit 121.240.02Metabolic processNADH to the respiratory chain
O75489NDUFS3NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] iron-sulfur protein 31.230.01Metabolic processNADH to the respiratory chain
O95139NDUFB6NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1 beta subcomplex subunit 61.230.01Metabolic processMitochondrial membrane respiratory chain NADH dehydrogenase
O95168NDUFB4NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1 beta subcomplex subunit 41.220.04TransportMitochondrial membrane respiratory chain NADH dehydrogenase
Q6ZVM7TOM1L2TOM1-like protein 21.220.03TransportProtein transport, mitogenic signaling
P51151RAB9ARas-related protein Rab-9A1.210.04Metabolic processTrafficking of melanogenic enzymes
Q8TEM1NUP210Nuclear pore membrane glycoprotein 2101.210.04Metabolic processRNA transport
Q92747ARPC1AActin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 1A1.210.05Cell structureMediates the formation of branched actin networks
O15162PLSCR1Phospholipid scramblase 11.200.02Cell deathLipid scrambling, lipid flip-flop
O43678NDUFA2NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1 alpha subcomplex subunit 21.20<0.01Metabolic processNADH to the respiratory chain
Q9HD45TM9SF3Transmembrane 9 superfamily member 31.200.03Metabolic processUnknown
P09669COX6CCytochrome c oxidase subunit 6C1.190.02Metabolic processRespiratory electron transport
Q96K19RNF170E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase RNF1700.800.04Metabolic processStimulus-induced inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1 (ITPR1) ubiquitination and degradation via the endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD)
Q9BZZ5API5Apoptosis inhibitor 50.800.04Cell deathProtein assembly
Q9P2X0DPM3Dolichol-phosphate mannosyltransferase subunit 30.800.03Metabolic processStabilizer subunit of the dolichol-phosphate mannose (DPM) synthase complex
Q9UQ80PA2G4Proliferation-associated protein 2G40.800.04Cell proliferationErbb3-regulated signal transduction pathway
P63167DYNLL1Dynein light chain 10.790.04TransportCargos protein
P78318IGBP1Immunoglobulin-binding protein 10.790.05InflammationSignal transduction.
Q13724MOGSMannosyl-oligosaccharide glucosidase0.790.02Metabolic processN-glycan biosynthesis
Q5K4L6SLC27A3Solute carrier family 27 member 30.790.05Metabolic processAcyl-CoA ligase activity for long-chain and very-long-chain fatty acids
Q9Y285FARSAPhenylalanine--tRNA ligase alpha subunit0.790.05Metabolic processAminoacyl-TRNα biosynthesis
P53609PGGT1BGeranylgeranyl transferase type-1 subunit beta0.780.03Metabolic processTransfer of a geranyl-geranyl moiety
Q13098GPS1COP9 signalosome complex subunit 10.780.04Cell differentiationCop9 signalosome complex
Q6DD88ATL3Atlastin-30.780.03TransportFusion of endoplasmic reticulum membrane
Q92688ANP32BAcidic leucine-rich nuclear phosphoprotein 32 family member B0.780.01Cell differentiationCell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle
Q96AT9RPERibulose-phosphate 3-epimerase0.780.03Metabolic processBiosynthesis of amino acids
Q9NRY4ARHGAP35Rho GTPase-activating protein 350.780.02Cell communicationRho gap activity
Q9Y608LRRFIP2Leucine-rich repeat flightless-interacting protein 20.780.02Metabolic processUnknown
O60506SYNCRIPHeterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein Q0.770.03Cell differentiationmRNA processing mechanisms
Q13619CUL4ACullin-4A0.770.01Metabolic processNucleotide excision repair
Q96JJ7TMX3Protein disulfide-isomerase TMX30.770.03Metabolic processFolding of proteins containing disulfide bonds
Q14444CAPRIN1Caprin-10.760.02Cell communicationSynaptic plasticity in neurons and cell proliferation
Q9HCE1MOV10Helicase MOV-100.760.02Metabolic processmRNA target degradation
Q9NQX3GPHNGephyrin0.760.02Cell structureMembrane protein-cytoskeleton interactions
P05387RPLP260S acidic ribosomal protein P20.750.01Cell structureElongation step of protein synthesis.
Q14257RCN2Reticulocalbin-20.750.03Metabolic processType 4 Bardet–Biedl syndrome
Q9BT40INPP5KInositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase K0.750.04Metabolic processInsulin-dependent glucose uptake
Q9BV40VAMP8Vesicle-associated membrane protein 80.750.05InflammationPlatelet activation
Q9HCE6ARHGEF10LRho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 10-like protein0.750.04Cell communicationGuanine nucleotide exchange factor
Q9P2M7CGNCingulin0.750.03Cell-cell interactionTight junction
P23508MCCColorectal mutant cancer protein0.740.01Cell deathSuppresses cell proliferation and the WNT/β-catenin pathway
Q9NR50EIF2B3Translation initiation factor eIF-2B subunit gamma0.740.03Metabolic processRNA transport
Q06520SULT2A1Bile salt sulfotransferase0.71<0.01Metabolic processBile secretion
P84090ERHEnhancer of rudimentary homolog0.690.01Metabolic processCell cycle
Q96B97SH3KBP1SH3 domain-containing kinase-binding protein 10.690.01Cell-cell interactionEndocytosis
O43306ADCY6Adenylate cyclase type 60.680.04Metabolic processFormation of the signaling molecule camp downstream of G protein-coupled receptors
P33176KIF5BKinesin-1 heavy chain0.680.04Cell communicationDopaminergic synapse, endocytosis
Q9NZ32ACTR10Actin-related protein 100.680.02Cell structureMicrotubule-based movement
Q7L5Y1ENOSF1Mitochondrial enolase superfamily member 10.67<0.01Metabolic processFructose and mannose metabolism
Q9BQE3TUBA1CTubulin alpha-1C chain0.660.03Cell structureConstituent of microtubules
Q16611BAK1Bcl-2 homologous antagonist/killer0.650.04Cell deathApoptosis
Q17RC7EXOC3L4Exocyst complex component 3-like protein 40.650.03TransportUnknown
Q9UNN5FAF1FAS-associated factor 10.650.03Cell deathUbiquitin-binding protein
Q9Y2W1THRAP3Thyroid hormone
receptor-associated protein 3
0.650.02Metabolic processPre-mRNA splicing
Q9H9C1VIPAS39Spermatogenesis-defective protein 39 homolog0.640.03Cell structureMaintenance of the apical-basolateral polarity
Q96A49SYAP1Synapse-associated protein 10.620.03Metabolic processmTOTC2-mediated phosphorylation of AKT1
Q9BX59TAPBPLTapasin-related protein0.620.02InflammationAntigen processing and presentation pathway,
P24386CHMRab proteins geranylgeranyltransferase component A 10.580.04Cell structureSubstrate-binding subunit of the Rab geranylgeranyltransferase complex
Q92539LPIN2Phosphatidate phosphatase LPIN20.580.02Metabolic processMetabolism of fatty acids
Q96AG3SLC25A46Solute carrier family 25 member 460.580.01Cell structureMitochondrial organization
P02652APOA2Apolipoprotein A-II0.570.02Metabolic processPPAR signaling pathway, stabilize HDL
Q9Y2U8LEMD3Inner nuclear membrane protein Man10.570.01Cell communicationRepressor of TGF-β, activin, and BMP signaling
P02647APOA1Apolipoprotein A-I0.550.02Metabolic processReverse transport of cholesterol
P32456GBP2Guanylate-binding protein 20.500.05InflammationNOD-like receptor signaling pathway
P13674P4HA1Prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit alpha-10.470.03Cell structureArginine and proline metabolism
Q9UKK3PARP4Protein mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase PARP40.470.03Cell deathApoptosis
Q8WWT9SLC13A3Solute carrier family 13 member 30.420.02TransportSodium-coupled sulphate, di- and tri-carboxylate transporters
Table 3. The Suzuki histological criteria.
Table 3. The Suzuki histological criteria.
GradeCongestionVacuolizationNecrosis
0NoneNoneNone
1Minimal (10%)Minimal (10%)Singe-cell necrosis
2Mild (<30%)Mild (<30%)Mild (<30%)
3Moderate (30–60%)Moderate (30–60%)Moderate (30–60%)
4Severe (>60%)Severe (>60%)Severe (>60%)
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Norén, Å.; Oltean, M.; Friman, S.; Molinaro, A.; Mölne, J.; Sihlbom, C.; Herlenius, G.; Thorsell, A. Liver Graft Proteomics Reveals Potential Incipient Mechanisms behind Early Renal Dysfunction after Liver Transplantation. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 11929. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231911929

AMA Style

Norén Å, Oltean M, Friman S, Molinaro A, Mölne J, Sihlbom C, Herlenius G, Thorsell A. Liver Graft Proteomics Reveals Potential Incipient Mechanisms behind Early Renal Dysfunction after Liver Transplantation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022; 23(19):11929. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231911929

Chicago/Turabian Style

Norén, Åsa, Mihai Oltean, Styrbjörn Friman, Antonio Molinaro, Johan Mölne, Carina Sihlbom, Gustaf Herlenius, and Annika Thorsell. 2022. "Liver Graft Proteomics Reveals Potential Incipient Mechanisms behind Early Renal Dysfunction after Liver Transplantation" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23, no. 19: 11929. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231911929

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop