Transplantation
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Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) as a bridge to lung transplantation was first advocated in 1995 and published studies have supported the concept but with limited data. The risk-benefit tradeoffs of the combined procedure have not been thoroughly examined, although substantial information regarding LVRS has emerged. ⋯ Although LVRS remains a viable option as a bridge to lung transplantation in appropriately selected patients, LVRS before lung transplantation can impart substantial morbidity and compromised functional capacity after lung transplantation. LVRS should not be easily considered as a bridge to transplantation for all lung transplant candidates.
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T regulatory cells (Tregs) have been associated with prolonged allograft survival and tolerance across a wide variety of species and organ types. We used our nonhuman primate model of facial vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) to study the association of Tregs with graft outcomes. ⋯ These findings in a clinically relevant model suggest that Tregs may have limited prognostic value with standard immunosuppressive protocols used in VCA. Further studies are necessary to determine the specific role of Tregs in VCA and any role of Treg monitoring in clinical practice.