Development of microRNA signatures for acute rejection after liver transplantation using rat model

To find out acute rejection (AR) associated microRNAs, we have employed Agilent microRNA microarray as a discovery platform to identify microRNAs with the potential to distinguish AR from controls. We first established a rat Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) model with AR, using Brown Norway (BN) rats that received OLT with liver grafts from Lewis rats (Lewis to BN). OLT with BN rats as the donors and recipients were also performed (BN to BN), and these rats served as the control group (non-rejection group, NR group). Then, global microRNA expression profiles of the plasma and grafts were evaluated and validated with high throughout microarray and RT-qPCR.