FGL2/Fibroleukin and Hepatitis C Virus Recurrence Post Liver Transplantation

Hepatitis C Virus infection (HCV) is a serious health problem worldwide, accounting for significant morbidity and mortality. The current treatment, combination therapy with pegylated IFNa/ribavirin results in only a 50% sustained viral response such that HCV is now the leading indication for liver transplantation. Unfortunately, HCV recurrence post-transplantation is universal and it is often difficult to distinguish recurrent HCV from other processes such as rejection, leading to inappropriate or delayed treatment(s) and compounding graft damage. It would be beneficial to have access to a circulating biomarker to distinguish HCV disease recurrence from other processes and to predict the severity of HCV disease progression post-transplantation.

The molecule FGL2 is secreted by cells of the immune system and may be a key immunomodulator affecting graft survival and HCV recurrence. The aim of this study is to assess whether a bioassay for FGL2 can predict HCV disease recurrence and progression after liver transplantation and/or differentiate HCV disease recurrence from acute cellular rejection.

This study will also examine the form of Fc Receptor expressed in these patients. The Fc receptor is hypothesized to be the binding partner of FGL2.