Passenger leukocytes in discarded deceased donor kidneys
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mobilisation and depletion of passenger leukocytes during warm perfusion of discarded deceased donor kidneys
IRAS ID
229654
Contact name
Chris Callaghan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guy's & St Thomas' Foundation NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Fifty eight percent of transplanted organs come from deceased donors. At the end of life, large numbers of immune cells enter the kidneys. These donor immune cells are then passed onto the organ recipient after transplantation. These cells are known as Passenger Leukocytes (PLs). PLs are known to impair kidney transplant function and can also increase the risk of rejection. Removing PLs prior to transplantation may therefore improve transplant function. New technology called Ex-vivo normothermic perfusion (EVNP) allows kidneys to be kept alive by pumping them with oxygen-enriched blood at body temperature. This technology will allow us to study PLs whilst the kidney is kept in a living and functional state. The addition of filters may enable harmful PLs from being removed from the organ prior to transplantation. EVNP also provides an opportunity to deliver other medications directly to the kidney prior to transplantation.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0928
Date of REC Opinion
18 May 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion