Enhancing Immunomodulation by Novel Glycoconjugate-Based Organ Engineering to Prevent Transplant Rejection

Organ transplantation is a lifesaving therapy. In 2021, in Canada around 2,782 organ transplants were performed. Key to success in organ transplantation is to suppress the immune system and prevent rejection. Current treatment using immunosuppressive drugs have reduced the incidents of rejection, however, such global immunosuppression leads to severe side effects. Thus, new approaches are needed for improved graft survival. Graft rejection is a comprehensive immune reaction initiated due to the damage of blood vessel lining (glycocalyx) during organ procurement and preservation. Such damage mediates the migration of a variety of immune cells post-transplantation, and worsen overtime triggering rejection. In this project, we will rebuild native immune-deactivating activity using immunosuppressive polymer conjugates via a novel organ engineering approach to prevent such damage and graft rejection. We will study the mechanism of this approach and apply it in the transplantation of arteries and kidneys as proof-of-concept. This new organ engineering will reduce the post-transplantation treatment costs, improve patients’ quality of life and may lead to transplantation without immunosuppressive drugs.