Abstract

Lung Transplant Immunology Through the Exosome Lens

Billie Hwang, Transplant Immunologist, University of Washington

Lung transplantation improves survival and quality-of-life for patients with end-stage lung disease. Clinical risk factors post-transplant including primary graft dysfunction (PGD) and acute and chronic lung allograft dysfunction (ALAD and CLAD) negatively impact the long-term benefits of transplantation and continues to be an area of research that has not been fully understood. Exosome immunology is a novel area of research that directly implicates extracellular vesicles (30-150nm) in playing a major role in a wide variety of diseases and immune responses. Despite the explosion of exosome studies in the last 5 years, their role in solid organ transplantation has been limited. In our studies, we aim to understand the role of exosomes in the donor:host immune responses and as prognostic biomarkers in clinical outcomes post-transplant including the development of acute and chronic rejection. In addition, we aim to develop a potentially novel paradigm that redefines lung transplant immunology through an exosome lens.