Cooperative signaling for angiogenesis and neovascularization by VEGF and HGF following islet transplantation.

Background: Delayed angiogenesis remains a significant challenge to the survival of transplanted islets. In this study, using a murine model of subcutaneous islet transplantation with matrigel basement membrane matrix, we determined the role of the proangiogenic growth factors in enhancing the islet engraftment.

Methods: BALB/c islets were transplanted subcutaneously in growth factor reduced (GFR) or growth factor supplemented (GFS) matrigel into diabetic severe combined immunodeficient mice.

Elevated soluble CD30 characterizes patients with hepatitis C virus-induced liver allograft cirrhosis.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) significantly accelerates progression to allograft cirrhosis. Current biochemical parameters to monitor progression of chronic HCV after OLT have yielded low specificity and sensitivity. Here we investigated the HCV-specific immunity and serum levels of soluble CD30 (sCD30), a novel marker of Th2 immunity, in patients with and without allograft cirrhosis.

Soluble CD30 levels as a diagnostic marker for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome following human lung transplantation.

The long term survival of human lung allograft is hampered by the occurrence of chronic rejection, Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome (BOS). This end-stage disease is normally diagnosed clinically by using the pulmonary function tests. This results in delay of BOS diagnosis and consequently prevents early intervention.