A new method for assessing the success of organ transplantation has been applied at the Siberian Federal University (SFU). It is based on the study of cell-free DNA as a biomarker of early donor organ rejection. This was reported by Tatyana Subbotina, Associate Professor of the Department of Medical Biology and Senior Researcher at the Scientific and Practical Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Research Methods of SFU.
We conducted a study on cell-free DNA, which is released from the transplanted organ during cell destruction, in our case it was the kidney. But this method can also be used for transplantation of other organs.
The essence of the method lies in the use of a highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the analysis of cell-free DNA isolated from the recipient's blood plasma. If the level of cell-free DNA is exceeded, this may indicate problems with the engraftment of the donor organ.
This method differs from existing ones, which are based on determining the level of creatinine (in kidney transplantation) and C-reactive protein in the recipient's body. The new approach allows to identify problems with engraftment at an early stage of rejection, which makes it possible to adjust therapy in a timely manner, remove the organ that has not taken root and start looking for a new donor.
It is worth noting that in Russia the number of donor organ transplants increased from 2.5 thousand operations in 2022 to 3 thousand in 2023. At the same time, about 60% of them are kidney transplants.
Earlier www1.ru reported that new types of 3D organ microsystems may appear in Russia.
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