Molecular and genetic markers for the prediction of kidney transplant outcome

Abstract

Kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment of

patients with end stage renal disease, as it provides longer patient survival

and better quality of life compared to dialysis. Prediction of DGF, response

to steroid resistant rejection and long-term graft outcome remain difficult when using merely clinical parameters. Numerous studies have reported on the predictive value of molecular markers for AR and worse graft outcome. However, the heterogeneity of AR and the variation among transplant centers leads to controversial results and preclude a more general clinical application. In the first part of this thesis, we aimed to investigate the molecular markers of steroid resistance and long-term graft survival on the basis of acute rejection biopsies. In the second part, we focused on genetic variants associated with acute rejection in kidney transplantation. In the final part we described the possible immune regulatory effect of S100 calcium binding proteins.