Abstract: FR-OR086
The Molecular Phenotype of Polyomavirus Nephropathy and Its Discrimination from T-Cell Mediated Rejection
Session Information
- Rejection or Infection: Walking the Fine Line
November 03, 2017 | Location: Room 394, Morial Convention Center
Abstract Time: 06:06 PM - 06:18 PM
Category: Transplantation
- 1702 Transplantation: Clinical and Translational
Authors
- Adam, Benjamin A., University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Wagner, Siegfried, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Braesen, Jan H., Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Broecker, Verena, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- D'Agati, Vivette D., Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, United States
- Drachenberg, Cinthia, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Farkash, Evan A., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
- Farris, Alton Brad, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Geldenhuys, Laurette, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Nickeleit, Volker, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
- Randhawa, Parmjeet S., University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- Regele, Heinz, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Mengel, Michael, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Background
Improved immunosuppression protocols have reduced the incidence of T-cell mediated rejection (TCMR) but still carry a significant risk of BK polyomavirus nephropathy (BKVN). Despite requiring opposite treatments, BKVN and TCMR often have overlapping clinical and histological presentations. Molecular testing may allow for more precise diagnosis.
Methods
NanoString® was used to measure the expression of 800 genes in 40 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded human samples. The genes included 795 human immune-related genes and 5 polyomavirus (PV) genes (Agnoprotein, LTAg, VP1, VP2, VP3). The samples included native kidney BKVN (n=5), pure TCMR (n=9), SV40 immunohistochemistry-positive carcinoma (tumor BK, n=9), and normal implant kidney biopsies (n=8). Using six additional nephrectomies with mixed BKVN and TCMR, regions showing histologic features of only BKVN (mixed BKVN, n=6) and only TCMR (mixed TCMR, n=3) were isolated with laser capture microdissection. Differential gene expression and diagnostic performance were assessed.
Results
All five PV genes were significantly increased (FDR<0.05) in native BKVN versus pure TMCR but no human genes were differentially expressed (Figure 1). PV gene expression was also significantly higher (versus pure TCMR) in tumor BK (p<0.01), mixed BKVN (p<0.001), and mixed TCMR (p<0.05, except VP1). ROC analysis revealed excellent discrimination between BK-positive (including mixed TCMR) and BK-negative cases (AUC=0.96-1.00). As a 5-gene set, the PV genes demonstrated near-perfect diagnostic performance (AUC=0.99) with improved sensitivity (0.96) over histology (0.87).
Conclusion
These data suggest that PV gene expression is more sensitive than histology and can more precisely discriminate BKVN and TCMR. However, at the molecular level, no significant difference in immune response was identified.