Genetics and Health

DNA Layers and AlloMap Gene Expression Profiling for Organ Transplants

by Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD on April 1st, 2007

Organ transplants save lives but even after the difficult task of finding a donor match, there’s still the possibility of the recipient’s body rejecting the organ. Dutch researchers have developed a technique of coating organs with DNA to improve the chances of a transplant’s success. The coating of DNA is applied by layers and has thus far proven successful in cell cultures and animal experiments.

Coating organs with DNA helps to:

• Reduce the immune response leading to organ rejection
• Specific to bone implants, phosphate groups found in DNA can speed up the attachment to bone tissue.
• DNA can be enriched with biologically active factors such as those that promote the formation of bone tissue and blood vessels.

In related news, a gene expression profiling (GEP) test, AlloMap, has been developed that can measure the body’s immune response to a heart transplant. Instead of identifying those at high risk of rejection, the molecular score identifies those at low risk who can avoid heart muscle biopsies, long term immunosuppressive treatments, and other intense therapies with side effects.

AlloMap can be used for patients 15 years or older who’ve had their transplanted heart for longer than two months. Eleven genes are examined in AlloMap testing. Each is associated with immune system pathways that are involved in acute cellular rejection. More information at the AlloMap website along with this elegant drawing.

Tags: allopmap, gene expression profiling, genetics, genes, dna, diseases, illness, health, medicine, transplants, organ transplant, transplant rejection

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POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health, Genetic Engineering, Genetic Ingenuity, Genetic Testing