Effects of invivo CXCR4 blockade and proteasome inhibition on bone marrow plasma cells in HLA-sensitized kidney transplant candidates.

To date, plasma cell (PC)-targeted therapies have been limited by suboptimal PC depletion and antibody rebound. We hypothesized this is partly because of PC residence in protective bone marrow (BM) microenvironments. The purpose of this proof-of-concept study was to examine the effects of the CXCR4 antagonist, plerixafor, on PC BM residence; its safety profile (alone and in combination with a proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib); and the transcriptional effect on BMPCs in HLA-sensitized kidney transplant candidates. Participants were enrolled into 3 groups: group A (n = 4), plerixafor monotherapy; and groups B (n = 4) and C (n = 4), plerixafor and bortezomib combinations. CD34+ stem cell and PC levels increased in the blood after plerixafor treatment. PC recovery from BM aspirates varied depending on the dose of plerixafor and bortezomib. Single-cell RNA sequencing on BMPCs from 3 group C participants pretreatment and posttreatment revealed multiple populations of PCs, with a posttreatment enrichment of oxidative phosphorylation, proteasome assembly, cytoplasmic translation, and autophagy-related genes. Murine studies demonstrated dually inhibiting the proteasome and autophagy resulted in greater BMPC death than did monotherapies. In conclusion, this pilot study revealed anticipated effects of combined plerixafor and bortezomib on BMPCs, an acceptable safety profile, and suggests the potential for autophagy inhibitors in desensitization regimens.

Reducing Donor-specific Antibody During Acute Rejection Diminishes Long-term Renal Allograft Loss: Comparison of Early and Late Rejection.

BACKGROUND: Reduction in donor-specific antibody (DSA) has been associated with improved renal allograft survival after antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). These observations have not been separately analyzed for early and late AMR and mixed acute rejection (MAR). The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term responses to proteasome inhibitor-based therapy for 4 rejection phenotypes and to determine factors that predict allograft survival. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study evaluating renal transplant recipients with first AMR episodes treated with proteasome inhibitor-based therapy from January 2005 to July 2015. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients were included in the analysis. Immunodominant DSA reduction at 14 days differed significantly (early AMR 79.6%, early MAR 54.7%, late AMR 23.4%, late MAR 21.1%, P < 0.001). Death-censored graft survival (DCGS) differed at 3 years postrejection (early AMR 88.3% versus early MAR 77.8% versus late AMR 56.7% versus late MAR 54.9%, P = 0.02). Multivariate analysis revealed that immunodominant DSA reduction > 50% at 14 days was associated with improved DCGS (odds ratio, 0.12, 95% CI, 0.02-0.52, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, significant differences exist across rejection phenotypes with respect to histological and DSA responses. The data suggest that DSA reduction may be associated with improved DCGS in both early and late AMR.

A prospective, iterative, adaptive trial of carfilzomib-based desensitization.

Proteasome inhibitor-based strategies hold promise in transplant but have yielded varying results. Carfilzomib, a second-generation proteasome inhibitor, may possess advantages over bortezomib, the first-generation proteasome inhibitors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, toxicity, and preliminary efficacy of carfilzomib in highly HLA-sensitized kidney transplant candidates. Renal transplant candidates received escalating doses of carfilzomib followed by plasmapheresis (group A) or an identical regimen with additional plasmapheresis once weekly before carfilzomib dosing. Thirteen participants received carfilzomib, which was well tolerated with most adverse events classified as low grade. The safety profile was similar to bortezomib desensitization; however, neurotoxicity was not observed with carfilzomib. Toxicity resulted in permanent dose reduction in 1 participant but caused no withdrawals or deaths. HLA antibodies were substantially reduced with carfilzomib alone, and median maximal immunodominant antibody reduction was 72.8% (69.8% for group A, P = .031, 80.1% for group B, P = .938). After depletion, rebound occurred rapidly and antibody levels returned to baseline between days 81 and 141. Bone marrow studies revealed that approximately 69.2% of plasma cells were depleted after carfilzomib monotherapy. Carfilzomib monotherapy-based desensitization provides an acceptable safety and toxicity profile while leading to significant bone marrow plasma cell depletion and anti-HLA antibody reduction.

Proteasomal adaptations underlying carfilzomib-resistance in human bone marrow plasma cells.

Donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) have a deleterious effect on allografts and remain a major immunologic barrier in transplantation. Current therapies to eliminate DSAs are ineffective in highly HLA-sensitized patients. Proteasome inhibitors have been employed as a strategy to target bone marrow plasma cells (BMPCs), the source of long-term antibody production; however, their efficacy has been limited by poorly defined drug-resistance mechanisms. Here, we performed transcriptomic profiling of CD138+ BMPCs that survived in vivo desensitization therapy with the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib to identify mechanisms of drug resistance. The results revealed a genomic signature that included increased expression of the immunoproteasome, a highly specialized proteasomal variant. Western blotting and functional studies demonstrated that catalytically active immunoproteasomes and the immunoproteasome activator PA28 were upregulated in carfilzomib-resistant BMPCs. Carfilzomib-resistant BMPCs displayed reduced sensitivity to the proteasome inhibitors carfilzomib, bortezomib, and ixazomib, but enhanced sensitivity to an immunoproteasome-specific inhibitor ONX-0914. Finally, in vitro carfilzomib treatment of BMPCs from HLA-sensitized patients increased levels of the immunoproteasome ß5i (PSMB8) catalytic subunit suggesting that carfilzomib therapy directly induces an adaptive immunoproteasome response. Taken together, our results indicate that carfilzomib induces structural changes in proteasomes and immunoproteasome formation.

IGG3 anti-HLA donor-specific antibodies and graft function in pediatric kidney transplant recipients.

Anti-HLA DSAs are associated with ABMR and graft loss in KT recipients, yet the influence of DSA IgG subclass on outcomes in pediatric KT recipients is not completely understood. We performed a single-center retrospective chart review of pediatric KT recipients with anti-HLA DSAs, aiming to study the association between specific DSA IgG subclasses and graft outcomes, including ABMR and significant graft dysfunction (graft loss or 50% decrease in eGFR). Thirty-six patients (mean age 15.4y) with DSAs initially detected 1 month-14.3 years post-transplantation were followed for a median of 2.8 years. Rates of IgG1, 2, 3, and 4 subclass detection were 92%, 33%, 58%, and 25%, respectively. Twenty-two patients (61%) had clinical ABMR, whereas 19% had subclinical ABMR, and 13 (36%) experienced significant graft dysfunction. Patients with IgG3+ DSAs had a higher risk of graft dysfunction compared with IgG3- patients (52% vs 13%, P = .03). In a multiple Cox proportional regression analysis, the presence of IgG3+ DSA was independently associated with significant graft dysfunction (HR 10.45, 95% CI 1.97-55.55, P = .006). In conclusion, IgG3 subclass DSAs are associated with graft dysfunction and may be useful for risk stratification and treatment decisions in DSA-positive pediatric KT recipients.

Cincinnati Protocol for Preoperative Screening and Donor Selection for Ocular Surface Stem Cell Transplantation.

PURPOSE: To describe our process for preoperative screening and donor selection for ocular surface stem cell transplantation (OSST). METHODS: A 7-year retrospective chart review was performed on limbal stem cell deficiency patients. The inclusion criterion was all patients who underwent an OSST procedure. The exclusion criterion was eyes with unilateral disease in which an autograft was performed. Data for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing, virtual crossmatching, donor-specific antibody, and panel reactive antibody level were obtained. RESULTS: Of the included 142 eyes (104 patients), 19 patients had no recorded living donor availability data, and HLA typing was not performed on 16 patients. A total of 94 donors (mean 1.4 donors/patient, range 1-6) were tested for 67 recipients. For 2 patients with graft-versus-host disease, no further HLA typing was needed, as the donors were known HLA-identical donors. For 47 patients, only 1 donor was tested, whereas multiple donors underwent HLA typing for 20 patients. There were 73 ABO (blood group)-compatible matches for the 61 tested recipients, and only 1 recipient did not have any ABO-compatible donor. For the virtual crossmatch, there were 5 patients who did not have a compatible donor (positive virtual crossmatch). The best available donor match was a sibling for 41 recipients (65%), a parent for 19 recipients (30%), and an offspring for 3 recipients (5%). CONCLUSIONS: Our protocol for OSST preoperative screening and donor selection minimizes the antigenic burden for transplanted tissue by selecting the best available donor match.

A phase Ib, open-label, single arm study to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and impact on humoral sensitization of SANGUINATE infusion in patients with end-stage renal disease.

The endeavor to study desensitization in kidney transplantation has not been matched by an effort to investigate strategies to prevent sensitization. In this study (NCT02437422), we investigated the safety, impact on sensitization, and pharmacokinetics of SANGUINATE (SG), a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, as a potential alternative to packed red blood cells (PRBC) in transplant candidates with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Ten ESRD subjects meeting inclusion/exclusion (I/E) criteria were planned to receive three weekly infusions of SG (320 mg/kg). The study was stopped after five subjects were enrolled, and their data were analyzed after completing a follow-up period of 90 days. Two subjects had elevated troponin I levels in setting of SG infusion, one of which was interpreted as a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. All other adverse events were transient. SG pharmacokinetic analysis showed mean (SD) Cmax , Tmax , AUC, and half-life of 4.39 (0.69) mg/mL, 2.42 (0.91) hours, 171.86 (52.35) mg h/mL, and 40.60 (11.96) hours, respectively. None of the subjects developed new anti-HLA antibodies following SG infusion and throughout the study period. In conclusion, SG is a potential alternative to PRBCs in ESRD patients considered for kidney transplantation as it was not associated with humoral sensitization. Larger studies in highly sensitized patients are required to further evaluate for potential safety signals.

Successful Simultaneous Liver-Kidney Transplantation in the Presence of Multiple High-Titered Class I and II Antidonor HLA Antibodies.

The results of simultaneous liver-kidney transplants in highly sensitized recipients have been controversial in terms of antibody-mediated rejection and kidney allograft outcomes. This case report provides a detailed and sophisticated documentation of histocompatibility and pathologic data in a simultaneous liver-kidney transplant performed in a recipient with multiple high-titered class I and II antidonor HLA antibodies and a strongly positive cytotoxic crossmatch. Patient received induction with steroids, rituximab, and eculizumab without lymphocyte depleting agents. The kidney transplant was delayed by 6 hours after the liver transplant to allow more time to the liver allograft to "absorb" donor-specific antibodies (DSA). Interestingly, the liver allograft did not prevent immediate antibody-mediated injury to the kidney allograft in this highly sensitized recipient. Anti-HLA single antigen bead analysis of liver and kidney allograft biopsy eluates revealed deposition of both class I and II DSA in both liver and kidney transplants during the first 2 weeks after transplant. Afterward, both liver and kidney allograft functions improved and remained normal after a year with progressive reduction in serum DSA values.

Early and late acute antibody-mediated rejection differ immunologically and in response to proteasome inhibition.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of plasma cell targeted therapies for antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) has not been defined in detail. The purpose of this study was to compare early and late acute AMR in terms of immunologic characteristics and responses with proteasome inhibitor (PI) therapy. METHODS: Renal transplant recipients with acute AMR were treated with PI-based regimens. Early acute AMR was defined as occurring within 6 months posttransplant. Immunodominant donor-specific antibody (iDSA) was defined as the DSA with the highest level. RESULTS: Results are expressed as early or late acute AMR. Thirty AMR episodes (13 early, 17 late) were treated in 12 and 16 patients. Early but not late AMR was associated with presensitization. Late AMR iDSA levels were higher, and specificities were primarily class II (DQ being most frequent). Early AMR patients demonstrated greater reduction in iDSA at 7, 14, and 30 days and at the posttreatment nadir (81.5%+21.2% vs. 51.4%+27.6%; P<0.01). Early AMR patients were more likely to demonstrate histologic resolution/improvement (87.5% vs. 53.8%; P=0.13). Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in renal function. CONCLUSIONS: Early and late AMR exhibit distinct immunologic characteristics and respond differently to PI therapy.

Proteasome inhibitor-based primary therapy for antibody-mediated renal allograft rejection.

BACKGROUND: Rapid and complete elimination of donor-specific anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies (DSA) during antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is rarely achieved with traditional antihumoral therapies. Proteasome inhibitor-based therapy has been shown to effectively treat refractory AMR, but its use as a primary therapy for AMR has not been presented. Our initial experience with proteasome inhibition as a first-line therapy for AMR is presented. METHODS: Adult kidney transplant recipients with AMR, diagnosed by Banff criteria, received a bortezomib-based regimen as the primary therapy. Bortezomib therapy was administered per package insert with plasmapheresis performed immediately before each bortezomib dose, and a single rituximab dose (375 mg/m2) given with the first bortezomib dose. DSA were quantitated using single-antigen beads on a Luminex platform. RESULTS: Two patients underwent bortezomib-based therapy for acute AMR occurring within the first 2 weeks after transplantation. High DSA levels and positive C4d staining of peritubular or glomerular capillaries were present at the time of diagnosis. Both patients experienced prompt AMR reversal and elimination of detectable DSA within 14 days of bortezomib-based therapy. Renal function remains excellent with normal urinary protein excretion at 5 and 6 months after AMR diagnosis. One patient experienced a repeated elevation of DSA (including two new human leukocyte antigen specificities) 2 months after initial bortezomib therapy, but without C4d deposition or histologic evidence of AMR. Retreatment with bortezomib provided prompt, complete, and durable DSA elimination. CONCLUSIONS: Proteasome inhibitor-based combination therapy provides a potential means for rapid DSA elimination in early acute AMR in renal transplant recipients.

Bortezomib-based treatment of antibody mediated rejection in pancreas allograft recipients.

This report presents the first experience with plasma cell-targeted therapy in treating antibody mediated rejection in pancreas transplant recipients. In this experience, bortezomib provided results similar to those previously reported in kidney transplant recipients, with the exception that DSA responses were not quite as dramatic in pancreas transplant recipients. However, even in patients with antibody mediated rejection refractory to standard therapies, significant responses were obtained with the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib. These results confirm the potential for bortezomib-based therapies in pancreas transplant recipients, and also demonstrate that rejection following pancreas transplantation may require innovative approaches to provide optimal results.

Bortezomib provides effective therapy for antibody- and cell-mediated acute rejection.

BACKGROUND: Current antihumoral therapies in transplantation and autoimmune disease do not target the mature antibody-producing plasma cell. Bortezomib is a first in class proteosomal inhibitor, that is Food and Drug Administration approved, for the treatment of plasma cell-derived tumors that is multiple myeloma. We report the first clinical experience with plasma cell-targeted therapy (bortezomib) as an antirejection strategy. METHODS: Eight episodes of mixed antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) and acute cellular rejection (ACR) in six transplant recipients were treated with bortezomib at labeled dosing. Monitoring included serial donor-specific antihuman leukocyte antigen antibody (DSA) levels and repeated allograft biopsies. RESULTS: Six kidney transplant patients received bortezomib for AMR and concomitant ACR. In each case, bortezomib therapy provided (1) prompt rejection reversal, (2) marked and prolonged reductions in DSA levels, (3) improved renal allograft function, and (4) suppression of recurrent rejection for at least 5 months. Moreover, immunodominant DSA (iDSA) (i.e., the antidonor human leukocyte antigen antibody with the highest levels) levels were decreased by more than 50% within 14 days and remained substantially suppressed for up to 5 months. One or more additional DSA were present at lower concentrations (non-iDSA) in each patient and were also reduced to nondetectable levels. Bortezomib-related toxicities (gastrointestinal toxicity, thrombocytopenia, and paresthesias) were all transient. CONCLUSIONS: Bortezomib therapy: (1) provides effective treatment of AMR and ACR with minimal toxicity and (2) provides sustained reduction in iDSA and non-iDSA levels. Bortezomib represents the first effective antihumoral therapy with activity in humans that targets plasma cells.

Corticosteroid elimination: the Cincinnati experience.

Elimination of corticosteroid-related morbidity has been a goal of transplant clinicians from the earliest days of renal transplantation more than 50 years ago. Over the past decade, this goal has begun to be realized. Herein, we describe our efforts to eliminate corticosteroid therapy from maintenance immunosuppression-efforts that have spanned 15 years and have included design and conduct of five multicenter trials and over ten single center trials with over 650 patients at the University of Cincinnati. These efforts have led to a near complete elimination of corticosteroid-related morbidity, and, importantly, a more precise definition of the risk/benefit assessments of corticosteroid withdrawal in individual patient populations, which has allowed individualization and tailoring of corticosteroid-free immunosuppression.