Donor and recipient immune programs underlying delayed graft function in kidney transplantation revealed by temporal single-cell profiling

The authors aimed to elucidate the immune mechanisms underlying delayed graft function in kidney transplantation, particularly distinguishing the immune responses associated with deceased versus living donor kidneys. Through single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, they identified distinct immune profiles in donor and recipient cells that contribute to the inflammatory responses observed in delayed graft function. Their findings highlight specific cellular circuits and immune programs that could inform strategies to improve transplant outcomes.