Perspectives of application of microRNA as a biomarker for assessing the quality of kidney and liver transplants
https://doi.org/10.23873/2074-0506-2026-18-2-234-242
Abstract
Introduction. Donor organ quality is critical for maintaining current and long-term graft function. More effective and diagnostically relevant tools for assessing the quality of a donor organ under transplantation will help optimize posttransplant monitoring, select appropriate clinical management strategies, and increase graft survival. MiRNAs can be used as such tools for early, non-invasive diagnosis of donor organ viability. Circulating miRNAs are found in various biological fluids; they are relatively stable and tissue-specific. Furthermore, precise laboratory methods for analyzing the expression of specific miRNAs are now available.
Objective. The aim of the review is to identify the prognostic value of microRNA in kidney or liver transplant recipients for the analysis of the donor organ status in the pre-transplant period.
Material and methods. This paper presents the results of studies identifying specific microRNAs for assessing donor organ quality. To analyze and structurize the literature, we searched the electronic databases MIRBase, PubMed, MedLine, eLIBRARY, and Google Scholar for the period from 1995 to 2025. This review includes 60 publications from Russian and international sources.
Conclusion. Current scientific data confirm the feasibility and potential of using microRNAs as biomarkers. Further research is needed to develop and optimize a diagnostic algorithm for organ transplantation.
About the Authors
I. A. Pirozhkov
Saint-Petersburg I.I. Dzhanelidze Research Institute of Emergency Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Ivan A. Pirozhkov, Cand. Sci. (Med.), Physician of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, the City Laboratory of Immunogenetics and Serological Diagnostics, 60%, writing the text of the article, database searches, reviewing literature sources
3 Budapeshtskaya St., Saint-Petersburg 192242
M. E. Malyshev
Saint-Petersburg I.I. Dzhanelidze Research Institute of Emergency Medicine, Saint-Petersburg State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Mikhail E. Malyshev, Dr. Sci. (Biol.), Head of the City Laboratory of Immunogenetics and Serological Diagnostics; Professor of the Faculty of Dentistry and Advanced Medical Technologies, 20%, database searches, reviewing literature, editing
3 Budapeshtskaya St., Saint-Petersburg 192242;
7–9 Universitetskaya Emb., Saint-Petersburg 1990345
A. A. Kutenkov
Saint-Petersburg I.I. Dzhanelidze Research Institute of Emergency Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Aleksey A. Kutenkov, Head of the Department of Transplantology and Organ Donation, 20%, database searches, reviewing literature, editing
3 Budapeshtskaya St., Saint-Petersburg 192242
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Pirozhkov I.A., Malyshev M.E., Kutenkov A.A. Perspectives of application of microRNA as a biomarker for assessing the quality of kidney and liver transplants. Transplantologiya. The Russian Journal of Transplantation. 2026;18(2):234-242. https://doi.org/10.23873/2074-0506-2026-18-2-234-242
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