Donor age over 55 is associated with worse outcome in lung transplant recipients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Lung transplantation (LTx) remains the only efficient treatment for selected patients with end-stage pulmonary disease. The age limit for the acceptance of donor organs in LTx is still a matter of debate. We here analyze the impact of donor organ age and the underlying pulmonary disease on short- and long-term outcome and survival after LTx.

Murine orthotopic lung transplant models: A comprehensive overview of genetic mismatch degrees and histopathological insights into chronic lung allograft dysfunction.

Currently, lung transplantation outcome remains inferior compared to other solid organ transplantations. A major cause for limited survival after lung transplantation is chronic lung allograft dysfunction. Numerous animal models have been developed to investigate chronic lung allograft dysfunction to discover adequate treatments.

Increased Donor Organ Size and Age is Associated with Reduced Survival in Female Lung Transplant Recipients.

Background: Organ selection in lung transplantation (LTx) is still controversial. We here analyze the impact of mismatches in size, age, and gender on early and long-term outcome after LTx.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of donor and recipient characteristics of patients who underwent double LTx between March 2003 and December 2021.

Protocol for orthotopic single-lung transplantation in mice as a tool for lung metastasis studies.

The transplantation model provides the opportunity to assess the relevance of a molecule of interest for tumor cell extravasation by using a respective genetically modified donor animal. Here, we present a protocol for orthotopic single-lung transplantation in mice as a tool for lung metastasis studies. We describe steps for animal preparation, lung transplantation, and tumor cell injection.

Biased IL-2 signals induce Foxp3-rich pulmonary lymphoid structures and facilitate long-term lung allograft acceptance in mice.

Transplantation of solid organs can be life-saving in patients with end-stage organ failure, however, graft rejection remains a major challenge. In this study, by pre-conditioning with interleukin-2 (IL-2)/anti-IL-2 antibody complex treatment biased toward IL-2 receptor α, we achieved acceptance of fully mismatched orthotopic lung allografts that remained morphologically and functionally intact for more than 90 days in immunocompetent mice. These allografts are tolerated by the actions of forkhead box p3 (Foxp3) regulatory T (Treg) cells that home to the lung allografts.

Tissue resident iNKT17 cells facilitate cancer cell extravasation in liver metastasis via interleukin-22.

During metastasis, cancer cells invade, intravasate, enter the circulation, extravasate, and colonize target organs. Here, we examined the role of interleukin (IL)-22 in metastasis. Immune cell-derived IL-22 acts on epithelial tissues, promoting regeneration and healing upon tissue damage, but it is also associated with malignancy.

Balancing the Risk of Adverse Events against the Efficacy of Immunotherapy in Advanced Thymic Epithelial Tumors.

Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare thoracic malignancies with a favorable prognosis when complete surgical resection can be achieved. Therapeutic options for advanced, irresectable, or recurrent disease are limited and currently, a therapeutic standard treatment beyond platinum-based chemotherapy is undefined. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are effective against TETs, however their use is associated with a serious risk of immune-mediated toxicity.

Independent risk factors for an increased incidence of thromboembolism after lung transplantation.

Background: Thromboembolism (TE) after lung transplantation (LTX) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to analyze the incidence and outcome of venous and arterial thromboembolic complications and to identify independent risk factors.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 221 patients who underwent LTX at our institution between 2002 and 2021.

Targeting cluster of differentiation 26 / dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (CD26/DPP4) in organ fibrosis.

Cluster of differentiation 26 (CD26)/dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) is an exopeptidase that is expressed as a transmembrane protein in many organs but also present in a circulating soluble form. Beyond its enzymatic and costimulatory activity, CD26/DPP4 is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic fibrotic diseases across many organ types, such as liver cirrhosis, kidney fibrosis and lung fibrosis. Organ fibrosis is associated with a high morbidity and mortality, and there are no causative therapies that can effectively attenuate the progress of the disease.

Probing Vasoreactivity and Hypoxic Phenotype in Different Tumor Grafts Grown on the Chorioallantoic Membrane of the Chicken Embryo In Ovo Using MRI.

Tumor grafts grown on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chicken embryos represent a transition between cell culture and mammalian in vivo models. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) started to harness this potential. Functional gas challenge is feasible on the CAM.

B Cell Immunity in Lung Transplant Rejection - Effector Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications.

Allograft rejection remains the major hurdle in lung transplantation despite modern immunosuppressive treatment. As part of the alloreactive process, B cells are increasingly recognized as modulators of alloimmunity and initiators of a donor-specific humoral response. In chronically rejected lung allografts, B cells contribute to the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures and promote local alloimmune responses.

[Congenital Malformations of the Lung - an Overview].

Congenital pulmonary malformations comprise a heterogenous group of rare developmental diseases. The most common malformations are the tracheal bronchus, bronchial atresia, bronchogenic cyst, pulmonary sequestration, congenital lobar emphysema, and congenital pulmonary airway malformation. Due to their space-consuming effect, patients suffer early postnatal respiratory distress which generally requires immediate surgical resection.

CD26 as a target against fibrous formation in chronic airway rejection lesions.

Aims: Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) after lung transplantation (Tx) is the clinical result of chronic airway rejection lesions (CARL), histomorphologically described as either obliterative remodeling of small airways or alveolar fibroelastosis, or as a combination of both. We here investigated the CD26-inhibitory effect on CD26-expressing CARL.

Main Methods: CARL were induced by BALB/c → C57BL/6 mouse Tx under mild immunosuppression.

Novel Strategies for Endothelial Preservation in Lung Transplant Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Lung ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury inevitably occurs during lung transplantation. The pulmonary endothelium is the primary target of IR injury that potentially results in severe pulmonary dysfunction. Over the last decades, various molecules, receptors, and signaling pathways were identified in order to develop treatment strategies for the preservation of the pulmonary endothelium against IR injury.

Psychometric properties of the updated EORTC module for assessing quality of life in patients with lung cancer (QLQ-LC29): an international, observational field study.

Background: The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire-Lung Cancer 13 (QLQ-LC13) assesses quality of life (QOL) in patients with lung cancer and was the first EORTC module developed for use in international clinical trials. Since its publication in 1994, major treatment advances with possible effects on QOL have occurred. These changes called for an update of the module and its international psychometric validation.

Hybrid nanocomposite as a chest wall graft with improved integration by adipose-derived stem cells.

Surgery of the chest wall is potentially required to cover large defects after  removal of malignant tumours. Usually, inert and non-degradable Gore-Tex serves to replace the missing tissue. However, novel biodegradable materials combined with stem cells are available that stimulate the healing.

Can texture analysis in ultrashort echo-time MRI distinguish primary graft dysfunction from acute rejection in lung transplants? A multidimensional assessment in a mouse model.

Background: Differentiation of early postoperative complications affects treatment options after lung transplantation.

Purpose: To assess if texture analysis in ultrashort echo-time (UTE) MRI allows distinction of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) from acute transplant rejection (ATR) in a mouse lung transplant model.

Study Type: Longitudinal.

CD26/DPP4 - a potential biomarker and target for cancer therapy.

CD26/dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)4 is a membrane-bound protein found in many cell types of the body, and a soluble form is present in body fluids. There is longstanding evidence that various primary tumors and also metastases express CD26/DPP4 to a variable extent. By cleaving dipeptides from peptides with a proline or alanine in the penultimate position at the N-terminus, it regulates the activity of incretin hormones, chemokines and many other peptides.