Elevated levels of circulating mitochondrial DNA predict early allograft dysfunction in patients following liver transplantation

Background and Aim The role of circulating mitochondrial DNA (cmtDNA) in transplantation remains to be elucidated. cmtDNA may be released into the circulation as a consequence of liver injury; yet recent work also suggests a causative role for cmtDNA leading to hepatocellular injury. We hypothesized that elevated cmtDNA would be associated with adverse events after liver transplantation (LT) and conducted an observational cohort study. Methods Twenty‐one patients were enrolled prospectively prior to LT. Results Postoperative complications were observed in 47.6% (n = 10). Seven patients (33.3%) had early allograft dysfunction (EAD), and six patients (28.5%) experienced acute cellular rejection within 6 months of LT. cmtDNA levels were significantly elevated in all recipients after LT compared with healthy controls and preoperative samples (1 361 937 copies/mL [IQR 586 781–3 399 687] after LT; 545 531 copies/mL [IQR 238 562–1 381 015] before LT; and 194 562 copies/mL [IQR 182 359–231 515] in healthy controls) and returned to normal levels by 5 days after transplantation. cmtDNA levels were particularly elevated in those who developed EAD in the early postoperative period (P