Biomarkers for primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation: a review of current evidence and future prospects

Lung transplantation remains the only effective treatment for end-stage lung disease, offering the potential to significantly prolong survival and enhance quality of life for recipients. However, primary graft dysfunction (PGD)-a severe form of lung injury occurring within the first 72 h post-transp...

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Main Authors: Li Feng, Kelin Luo, Yu Qiu, Rui Li, Chun Xue, Shuaishuai Xi, Jixian Liu, Yuanmin Pei, Chao Ma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Physiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1557182/full
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author Li Feng
Kelin Luo
Yu Qiu
Rui Li
Chun Xue
Shuaishuai Xi
Jixian Liu
Yuanmin Pei
Chao Ma
author_facet Li Feng
Kelin Luo
Yu Qiu
Rui Li
Chun Xue
Shuaishuai Xi
Jixian Liu
Yuanmin Pei
Chao Ma
author_sort Li Feng
collection DOAJ
description Lung transplantation remains the only effective treatment for end-stage lung disease, offering the potential to significantly prolong survival and enhance quality of life for recipients. However, primary graft dysfunction (PGD)-a severe form of lung injury occurring within the first 72 h post-transplantation-constitutes a major cause of early mortality and presents a substantial barrier to the broader clinical adoption of lung transplantation. Biomarkers, defined as specific molecules, cells, or other biological indicators detectable within or outside the body, can reflect physiological states, disease progression, or therapeutic responses. The identification of accurate and reliable biomarkers for the prediction and diagnosis of PGD is therefore critical for improving diagnostic precision and therapeutic outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the discovery of PGD-related biomarkers, encompassing a wide range of candidates such as plasma proteins, hormones, cell-free DNA, and immunoreactive substances. The complex biomarker landscape associated with PGD involves multiple signaling pathways and cellular phenotypes. Despite ongoing research, no single biomarker has yet demonstrated sufficient predictive or diagnostic power to be used independently in clinical practice. Consequently, continued investigation is essential to validate existing biomarkers and develop optimized strategies for their integration into routine clinical application.
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publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Physiology
spelling doaj-art-917dc4a4d06f46cab536e62a31a8269a2025-08-20T02:26:06ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2025-05-011610.3389/fphys.2025.15571821557182Biomarkers for primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation: a review of current evidence and future prospectsLi Feng0Kelin Luo1Yu Qiu2Rui Li3Chun Xue4Shuaishuai Xi5Jixian Liu6Yuanmin Pei7Chao Ma8School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, ChinaSchool of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital), Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Jinan Third People’s Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital), Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Vascular Surgery, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, Weifang, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Vascular Surgery, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, Weifang, Shandong, ChinaSchool of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, ChinaLung transplantation remains the only effective treatment for end-stage lung disease, offering the potential to significantly prolong survival and enhance quality of life for recipients. However, primary graft dysfunction (PGD)-a severe form of lung injury occurring within the first 72 h post-transplantation-constitutes a major cause of early mortality and presents a substantial barrier to the broader clinical adoption of lung transplantation. Biomarkers, defined as specific molecules, cells, or other biological indicators detectable within or outside the body, can reflect physiological states, disease progression, or therapeutic responses. The identification of accurate and reliable biomarkers for the prediction and diagnosis of PGD is therefore critical for improving diagnostic precision and therapeutic outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the discovery of PGD-related biomarkers, encompassing a wide range of candidates such as plasma proteins, hormones, cell-free DNA, and immunoreactive substances. The complex biomarker landscape associated with PGD involves multiple signaling pathways and cellular phenotypes. Despite ongoing research, no single biomarker has yet demonstrated sufficient predictive or diagnostic power to be used independently in clinical practice. Consequently, continued investigation is essential to validate existing biomarkers and develop optimized strategies for their integration into routine clinical application.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1557182/fullprimary graft dysfunctionlung transplantationbiomarkerplasma proteinscell-free DNA
spellingShingle Li Feng
Kelin Luo
Yu Qiu
Rui Li
Chun Xue
Shuaishuai Xi
Jixian Liu
Yuanmin Pei
Chao Ma
Biomarkers for primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation: a review of current evidence and future prospects
Frontiers in Physiology
primary graft dysfunction
lung transplantation
biomarker
plasma proteins
cell-free DNA
title Biomarkers for primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation: a review of current evidence and future prospects
title_full Biomarkers for primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation: a review of current evidence and future prospects
title_fullStr Biomarkers for primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation: a review of current evidence and future prospects
title_full_unstemmed Biomarkers for primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation: a review of current evidence and future prospects
title_short Biomarkers for primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation: a review of current evidence and future prospects
title_sort biomarkers for primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation a review of current evidence and future prospects
topic primary graft dysfunction
lung transplantation
biomarker
plasma proteins
cell-free DNA
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1557182/full
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