MicroRNA Biomarkers in Organ Transplantation

MicroRNAs are short non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression and play critical roles in immune cell differentiation, inflammatory signalling and tissue remodelling. In organ transplantation, the allograft is subject to both acute and chronic immune-mediated injury and current surveillance relies heavily on invasive biopsy. MicroRNA profiles in blood, urine or other body fluids offer a minimally invasive window into graft health by reflecting alloimmune activation, ischaemia–reperfusion injury and emerging tolerance mechanisms. Distinct microRNA signatures have been linked to T cell-mediated acute rejection, antibody-mediated injury and fibrosis, as well as to immunomodulatory pathways that favour long-term graft acceptance. Advances in high-throughput profiling and computational network analyses have enabled the identification of microRNA panels predictive of rejection episodes, response to immunosuppression and early graft dysfunction, with potential to guide personalised immunosuppressive strategies. Research has also explored the therapeutic modulation of specific microRNAs to mitigate rejection and promote tolerance, underscoring their dual utility as biomarkers and interventional targets. The global significance of these findings lies in the prospect of earlier, more accurate diagnosis, reduced reliance on invasive procedures and improved long-term outcomes in transplant recipients worldwide.

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MicroRNA Biomarkers in Organ Transplantation publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in microrna biomarkers in organ transplantation across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

microRNA: Short non-coding RNA molecules (~19–23 nucleotides) that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally.

Biomarker: A measurable indicator of physiological or pathological processes, used for diagnosis or prognosis.

Allograft rejection: Immune-mediated injury to a transplanted organ by the recipient’s immune system.

Acute rejection: Rapid onset immune response against the graft, typically within weeks to months post-transplant.

Tolerance: A state in which the recipient’s immune system accepts the graft without ongoing immunosuppression.

qRT-PCR: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, a technique to measure RNA levels.

References

1. Novel ceRNA network construction associated with programmed cell death in acute rejection of heart allograft in mice. Frontiers in Immunology (2023).
2. Role of microRNAs in Immune Regulation with Translational and Clinical Applications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
3. MicroRNAs as Potential Graft Rejection or Tolerance Biomarkers and Their Dilemma in Clinical Routines Behaving like Devilish, Angelic, or Frightening Elements. Biomedicines (2024).
4. MicroRNA and mRNA Signatures in Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Heart Transplantation. PLOS ONE (2013).