Implantable bioelectronic systems for early detection of kidney transplant rejection

Science. 2023 Sep 8;381(6662):1105-1112. doi: 10.1126/science.adh7726. Epub 2023 Sep 7.

Abstract

Early-stage organ transplant rejection can be difficult to detect. Percutaneous biopsies occur infrequently and are risky, and measuring biomarker levels in blood can lead to false-negative and -positive outcomes. We developed an implantable bioelectronic system capable of continuous, real-time, long-term monitoring of the local temperature and thermal conductivity of a kidney for detecting inflammatory processes associated with graft rejection, as demonstrated in rat models. The system detects ultradian rhythms, disruption of the circadian cycle, and/or a rise in kidney temperature. These provide warning signs of acute kidney transplant rejection that precede changes in blood serum creatinine/urea nitrogen by 2 to 3 weeks and approximately 3 days for cases of discontinued and absent administration of immunosuppressive therapy, respectively.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Early Diagnosis*
  • Graft Rejection* / diagnosis
  • Kidney
  • Kidney Diseases*
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / instrumentation
  • Postoperative Complications*
  • Rats
  • Wireless Technology* / instrumentation