Evolution and Advances in Kidney Transplantation: Focus on Immunosuppression, Immune Monitoring, and Complications

Call for Papers

Kidney transplantation remains the renal replacement therapy of choice for patients with end-stage renal disease. Recent advances in biology and medicine have introduced new technologies such as molecular HLA typing and detection of anti-HLA antibodies using solid phase assays to improve the understanding of immunological risk and treatment of rejection in renal transplant recipients. The greater understanding of the role of immune cells as well as mechanisms of immunosuppressive agents in transplantation has led to the development of novel agents and tools to achieve better care to renal transplant recipients and to improve long-term clinical outcomes. We invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts to understand the mechanisms, therapies, and complications of kidney transplantation and the future development of strategies aiming to improve transplant outcomes.

We are particularly interested in articles describing the actions and challenges of current and novel immunosuppressive agents with regards to efficacy and complications and advances in molecular HLA typing and immune monitoring relevant to renal transplantation. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Transplant immunology—overview (role of antigen-presenting cells, T, B, and NK cells)
• Transplant immunology—rejection (cellular and antibody-mediated rejection)
• Evolution of cross-matching techniques and detection of donor-specific and non-donor-specific anti-HLA
• Antibodies
• Advances in highly sensitized renal transplant candidates
• Mechanisms of action of immunosuppressive agents (induction, maintenance)
• Mechanisms of action of novel immunosuppressive agents
• Latest advances and clinical applicability of immune monitoring and molecular phenotyping
• Cytokines in transplantation
• Emerging novel regulatory therapies in transplantation
• Challenges of immunosuppression in the management of transplant complications (malignancies, infections, and cardiovascular disease)

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/cdi/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/submit/journals/cdi/eakt/ according to the following timetable:

Lead Guest Editor

• Wai Lim, Department of Renal Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and University of Western Australia, WA, Perth, Australia

Guest Editors

• Aron Chakera, Department of Renal Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
• Phil Mason, Oxford Kidney Unit, The Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
• Germaine Wong, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney and Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia