2023-10-16 10:14:22
An implantable bioelectronic system equipped with a transplanted kidney in a rat model. [사진=Science]
[헬스코리아뉴스 / 이지혜] Implantable bioelectronic systems have been developed that can monitor organ transplant rejection in real time, which is difficult to detect in the early stages. It is expected that it will be helpful in establishing individual administration strategies for immunosuppressants and understanding their efficacy.
A research team at Northwestern University’s Comprehensive Transplant Center in the United States recently developed an implantable bioelectronic system that can monitor rejection of transplanted organs in real time for a long period of time and published it in the international journal Science.
Organ transplantation can significantly extend the recipient’s lifespan, but transplant rejection occurs due to leukocyte antigen genotype mismatch between donor and recipient. The survival rate following organ transplantation is 92.7% at 1 year, 77.6% at 5 years, and 49.5% at 10 years, with transplant rejection being considered the main cause of death.
If rejection is detected early, the function of the transplanted organ can be preserved through therapeutic intervention. The current gold standard for detecting transplant rejection is a biopsy of renal cortical tissue, but it is not recommended during the first 24 months following transplantation due to the risks of bleeding, pain, infection, and complications that can damage adjacent organs. If the procedure progresses or requires observation, it is rarely performed once or twice.
To overcome these limitations, the research team developed an implantable bioelectronic sensor that can physically monitor the physiological phenomena that occur during rejection. The implantable bioelectronic sensor developed by the research team consists of a wireless electronic device (module) and a biosensor connected to it.
As approximately 60% of the 40,000 organ transplants performed in the United States last year were kidney transplants, the research team recognized the importance of monitoring rejection of kidney transplants and conducted research using a rat kidney transplant model.
View of the device next to a US 10 cent coin [사진=Science]
The bioelectronic sensor made of stretchable material is ultra-thin, measuring 0.3cm wide, 0.7cm tall, and 220㎛ thick, smaller than a fingernail and as thin as a hair. It was confirmed that it is easy to insert into the abdominal cavity and that real-time data collection operates stably for more than 2 months in freely moving animals.
The sensor is mounted on the surface of the transplanted kidney and can monitor the local temperature and thermal conductivity of the transplanted organ in real time for a long period of time. The research team explains that since an increase in temperature is generally accompanied by inflammation, an early warning signal for transplant rejection can be obtained by detecting an abnormal temperature increase.
The research team confirmed that 10-15% of kidney transplant recipients develop asymptomatic rejection within a few months to a year following transplantation.
An official from the research team said, “Compared to invasive biopsies, implantable bioelectronic systems can safely provide long-term, real-time information on surgical recovery, drug effects, circadian rhythm, exercise/activity, and transplant rejection,” and added, “Individualized information on immunosuppressants. “It might be helpful in establishing administration strategies and understanding the efficacy of immunosuppressants.”
An official from the National Biotechnology Policy Research Center said, “In order to apply these implantable devices to the human body, it is necessary to conduct experiments on larger animals to confirm safety and functionality,” and added, “It is also important to consider the reaction of foreign substances to the implanted device.” “Do it,” he emphasized.
“Implantable devices such as pacemakers cause vascular fibrosis and tissue encapsulation, which limits their long-term application,” he said. “If these obstacles are overcome and implantable bioelectronic systems are successfully applied to the human body, the health of patients and transplanted organs will increase.” “It is expected that there will be significant improvements compared to existing biomarkers for monitoring,” he added.
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