Could biosensors enable better prediction for organ transplantation rejection – a research project with the Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School Lung Transplantation team

In the U.S., over 100,000 people are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant on any given day. Chronic tissue rejection is a complication of organ transplantation that can lead to organ failure and even death. Therefore, being able to predict organ transplant rejection is a critical element of transplantation surgery. Aqsens Health Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Janne Kulpakko and Brigham and Women's Hospital at Harvard Medical School research fellow Dr. Mohd Moin Khan has started a project to research organ transplantation rejection in patients with the use of biosensors developed at Aqsens.

“This project is of utmost importance to us, as immunological reactions and changes in the immune system are present in various diseases and their treatments," says Chief Scientific Officer Janne Kulpakko. “Through this project, we can further fine tune our biosensor’s capabilities in identifying regulators that control the human immune system activation in organ transplantation,” Kulpakko continues. 

Aqsens Health had a chance to interview Dr. Mohd Moin Khan and Dr. Mudassir Meraj Banday, research fellows at Harvard University, about their research, this collaboration, and how we could use biosensors in the future to help predict the likelihood of rejection in organ transplants. Below are their answers to our questions. 

What makes transplant rejection an important research topic?

Organ transplantation is necessary in cases where an individual's organ or organs fail to function adequately, leading to a life-threatening condition. While organ transplantation offers significant benefits, there are still several challenges. 

Organ rejection is a complex process that involves a gradual loss of function of the transplanted organ due to the recipient's immune system attacking the foreign tissue. One of the main issues when it comes to organ transplantation and rejection is the excessive use of immunosuppression in organ transplantation. Using immunosuppression is important to suppress the recipient's immune cells against the donor organ but also leads to an increased risk of infections, as the immune system's ability to fight off pathogens is compromised. Additionally, it results in a higher likelihood of certain cancers and other side effects such as kidney damage or hypertension. Minimizing these potential complications is crucial for any successful organ transplantation. The Biosensors based detection can be a breakthrough to control the use of immunosuppressants.

Predicting tissue rejection is a critical challenge in transplantation medicine, as it can help identify patients at high risk of developing the condition and allow for early intervention to prevent or delay its progression. 

Why did you decide to focus on lung transplantation in your research?

Around 2,000 lung transplants are performed in the United States every year, and the cost of a single lung transplant can be as high as nearly 900,000 dollars. Lung Transplants are risky operations, and almost half of the patients who have undergone the operation will experience rejection. The possibility of developing a method that could easily help predict the likelihood of rejection is a challenging and exciting opportunity. 

What is single-cell sequencing, and how could it be used in predicting chronic rejection?

Single-cell sequencing is a new technology that allows us to analyze individual cells much more closely than we have previously been able to. Single-cell sequencing allows for detailed insights into the genetic and molecular changes at the cellular level. 

Combining biosensor-based biomarker analysis in bodily fluids with genomic methods like single-cell sequencing enhances the precision of organ transplantation rejection detection. A more comprehensive understanding of rejection mechanisms can be achieved by integrating genomics data with biomarker profiles from serum, urine, and saliva. Our approach holds promise for advancing early detection strategies and refining personalized treatment plans for transplant recipients.

During the collaboration, Aqsens Health will compare single-cell sequencing data developed at Harvard with the data obtained with Aqsens’ biosensor to see how they correlate. In this study, Aqsens Health will mainly focus on studying T-cell reactions and grouping specific T-cell populations using their phage-biosensors. The biosensors will be used for possible transplantation rejection biomarkers in urine, saliva, and blood serum.

How do you think Aqsens Health’s biosensors could help in the research?

The use of Aqsens Health’s biosensors for detecting immune reactions in serum, urine, and saliva presents several opportunities in the context of organ transplantation rejection. These biosensors offer high sensitivity, enabling early detection of immune responses. This early identification allows for timely intervention, potentially preventing or mitigating rejection. 

Analyzing serum, urine, and saliva provides a non-invasive approach compared to traditional methods. This is advantageous for patients, reducing the need for invasive procedures while still providing valuable diagnostic information. Combining data from multiple bodily fluids allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the immune response. This holistic approach improves the accuracy of rejection detection and enhances overall transplant monitoring. 

The biosensors can be tailored to recognize specific biomarkers, contributing to personalized medicine in transplantation. This customization improves the precision of detection and allows for individualized treatment plans. 

Continued research in biosensors can drive technological advancements, refining their sensitivity and specificity. Non-invasive and early detection methods can reduce the healthcare burden associated with organ transplantation complications, leading to improved patient outcomes and resource utilization. This ongoing innovation holds promise for further enhancing their effectiveness in rejection detection. 

The use of Aqsens Health’s biosensors in detecting immune reactions in serum, urine, and saliva during organ transplantation rejection opens up opportunities for more accurate, personalized, and less invasive monitoring, ultimately improving the management of transplant recipients. 

What’s the next step in this research study?

Next, we will send our sample cohort to Aqsens Health’s laboratory in Turku, and they will be able to begin their biosensor analyses. 

We are looking forward to the exciting opportunity that comes with this collaboration!

Thank you to Dr. Khan and Dr. Banday for taking the time for this interview!