Iron deficiency after kidney transplantation

Abstract

Iron deficiency (ID) is highly prevalent in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) and has been independently associated with an excess mortality risk in this population. Several causes lead to ID in KTRs, including inflammation, medication and an increased iron need after transplantation. Although many studies in other populations indicate a pivotal role for iron as a regulator of the immune system, little is known about the impact of ID on the immune system in KTRs. Moreover, clinical trials in patients with chronic kidney disease or heart failure have shown that correction of ID, with or without anaemia, improves exercise capacity and quality of life, and may improve survival. ID could therefore be a modifiable risk factor to improve graft and patient outcomes in KTRs; prospective studies are warranted to substantiate this hypothesis.

INTRODUCTION

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) affects approximately one billion individuals globally and has a particularly high prevalence among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) [1], including kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) [2]. The presence of iron deficiency (ID) after kidney transplantation is strongly associated with an increased mortality risk [2, 3]. Interestingly, this association is independent of co-existing anaemia, suggesting a specific pathogenic role for ID in kidney transplantation [2]. Although the potential mechanisms driving the association between ID and mortality have not been fully elucidated, ID has been implicated in both immunological and non-immunological pathological processes. In this review, we will discuss the definition, prevalence and clinical impact of ID after kidney transplantation, address potential underlying pathophysiological pathways and propose areas for future study.

ID IN KTRs—DEFINITIONS, EPIDEMIOLOGY AND AETIOLOGY

Definition and prevalence of ID

Although an iron staining of bone marrow is the gold standard method to assess iron status, a serum ferritin level of <30 μg/L is a widely accepted alternative definition of ID [4]. However, because ferritin is an acute-phase protein, its concentration is increased in most chronic diseases as a result of inflammation, possibly masking co-existing ID. Therefore, transferrin saturation (TSAT) is more reliable in the context of chronic disease [4]. Most studies in patients with low-grade inflammation, including KTRs, use ID definitions based on the combination of ferritin concentration and TSAT [2, 5–8]. The prevalence of ID after kidney transplantation varies depending on the definition used and the time after kidney transplantation. In a cohort of 700 stable KTRs who were at least 1 year after transplantation [median time: 5.4 years, interquartile range (IQR) = 1.9–12.0 years], the prevalence of ID defined as a ferritin concentration <300 μg/L and TSAT <20% was 30% [2]. Other cohort studies, all with a median time after transplantation of at least 4 years, found prevalences between 6% and 47% [9–13].

A longitudinal study suggested that patients with pre-transplant ID remained iron-deficient after transplantation, and ferritin levels tended to decrease in the first months after transplantation. Other studies support the observation that ferritin levels and TSAT tend to decrease after transplantation, as haemoglobin (Hb) rises [8, 14, 15]. The reduction in ferritin levels after transplantation is more prominent when ferritin levels are initially high [13, 16]. This observation suggests that the decrease in ferritin levels is not purely resulting from progressive ID but from an abatement of inflammation as well.

Potential mechanisms of ID in KTRs

The aetiology of ID after kidney transplantation is multifactorial, as depicted in Figure 1.

FIGURE 1.

Causes of ID in KTRs. In KTRs, low-grade inflammation and mTOR inhibitors promote hepcidin upregulation. Hepcidin suppresses iron uptake from the gut by inhibiting iron exporter ferroportin on enterocytes. Hepcidin also reduces available iron by inhibiting iron export from monocytes. Meanwhile, iron usage/consumption is increased in KTRs: renewed EPO production promotes erythropoiesis. Usage of anticoagulant medication, frequent blood sampling and in some cases gastro-intestinal and urogenital malignancies result in blood loss. Female KTRs of reproductive age often have a return of their menstrual cycle, another cause of blood loss. Finally, PPIs decrease dietary iron uptake.

Inflammation

Inflammation induces hepcidin expression in the liver through cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6 and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) [17]. In particular, BMP6, a modulator of the renal response to injury, is a major hepcidin-inducing factor through stimulation of hepatocellular Suppressor against Mothers Against Decapentaplegic (SMAD) production [4]. Hepcidin subsequently degrades the iron-exporter ferroportin in enterocytes, leading to a decreased absorption of dietary non-haem iron from the duodenum [18]. Hepcidin also decreases the bioavailability of iron by augmenting its storage in macrophages through systemic degradation of ferroportin. The absorption and handling of iron are comprehensively described elsewhere [4]. Although hepcidin is positively correlated with acute-phase protein ferritin, its correlation with TSAT is inverse in line with the presumed role of inflammation driving ID in these patients [19–21].

Medication

Medication, including anticoagulants, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and immunosuppressive drugs, form another major factor influencing iron status in KTRs. Anticoagulant use frequently causes chronic (microscopic) gastro-intestinal blood loss, resulting in ID. The use of PPIs has also been associated with an increased risk of ID in several populations, including KTRs [22, 23]. Mechanistically, it has been suggested that PPIs reduce iron absorption by increasing the gastric pH, thereby inhibiting the reduction of ferric iron [Fe(III)] to ferrous iron [Fe(II)], in turn precluding absorption by enterocytes. The effects of immunosuppressive medication on iron status are not fully understood. Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORis) seem to promote ID. In mice, the mTORi sirolimus and the calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) tacrolimus stimulated hepcidin expression [24]. In humans, mTORi use has been associated with both anaemia and functional ID [25]. Prospective studies showed that a switch from a ciclosporin- to a sirolimus-based immunosuppressive regimen led to a decline in TSAT, while in patients with a ciclosporin dose reduction in TSAT remained stable [26]. In a study where KTRs were switched from a CNI and/or mycophenolic acid (MPA)-based regimen to an everolimus-based immunosuppressive regimen, TSAT also decreased significantly [27].

Malignancies

KTRs are at increased risk of gastro-intestinal cancers, such as colon carcinoma or intestinal post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, which may manifest as ID [28]. Thus, each patient with ID should be verified for the presence of alarm symptoms such as weight loss or rectal blood loss. Also, deep ID accompanied by low mean corpuscular volume or co-existing anaemia should trigger gastro-intestinal work-up. The isolated presence of ID without alarm symptoms, microcytosis or anaemia, which occurs in a considerable group of patients, seems insufficient to justify gastro-intestinal screening [29]. Urinary tract malignancies such as renal cell carcinoma have a much higher prevalence in KTRs as well, and may induce ID through erythrocyturia [28].

Other factors

Blood loss during transplant surgery and frequent blood sampling after transplantation may contribute to ID, especially in the early post-transplant phase [30]. Return of the menstruation cycle after successful transplantation could be another contributor to progressive ID [31]. Finally, the increase of serum erythropoietin (EPO) concentrations after kidney transplantation may cause a relative shortage of iron. Use of EPO-stimulating agents before kidney transplantation is associated with a less pronounced ferritin decrease after transplantation [14].

ID IN KTRs—DEFINITIONS, EPIDEMIOLOGY AND AETIOLOGY

In KTRs, ID has been strongly and independently associated with a higher mortality risk in two studies of KTRs with relatively good graft function [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 52 ± 20 mL/min and 53 ± 19 mL/min, respectively; Table 1] [2, 3]. Some but not all studies suggest that iron status may also influence kidney damage and graft outcomes [3, 34]. Recently, studies in non-transplant populations suggested that peri-operative ID is an important prognostic factor, and that it might be beneficial to correct non-anaemic ID prior to surgery [36–39]. Whether this also applies to KTRs has not been studied so far. Although the aetiologies that may underlie the observed adverse outcomes have not been elucidated, several mechanisms could be involved.

Table 1.

Overview of studies addressing the relationship of ID and supplementation with clinical outcomes in KTRs

References	PMID	N	Design	Primary findings
Cardiovascular disease/all-cause mortality
Eisenga et al. [2]	27516242	700	Cohort study	Independent association of ID with all-cause mortality (fully adjusted HR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.13–2.78; P = 0.01) Higher NTproBNP concentrations in patients with non-anaemic ID [350 (IQR = 127–1069) pg/mL] than in patients without ID [159 (IQR = 72–393) pg/mL]
Winkelmayer et al. [3]	15575912	438	Cohort study	Independent association of %HRBC, an indicator of iron status and metabolic iron utilization, >10% with all-cause mortality (fully adjusted HR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.12–3.79; P = 0.02).
Infectious diseases
Mudge et al. [32]	22290270	102	RCT	Single-dose IV iron polymaltose versus daily oral ferrous sulphate. No difference in infection risk (20% in IV arm versus 24% in oral arm; P = 0.62)
Fernandez-Ruiz et al. [33]	24011120	228	Cohort study	Post-transplant ferritin >500 μg/L associated with any infection (P = 0.006) or bacterial infection (P = 0.02) during the first year No association between TSAT and infection risk during the first year
Vaugier et al. [34]	28784700	169	Cohort study	No difference in BK virus infection between high- (>600 μg/L) and low (<600 μg/L) ferritin groups (10% versus 15%, respectively, in the high quartile; Chi-squared test; P = 0.40)
Fernández-Ruiz et al. [35]	29120522	91	Cohort study	Independent association of high hepcidin-25 (≥72.5 ng/mL) with overall (HR = 3.86, 95% CI 1.49–9.96; P = 0.005) and opportunistic infection (HR = 4.32, 95% CI 1.18–15.75; P = 0.027).

Cardiac effects of ID

Given the associations of ID with all-cause mortality in KTRs (Table 1), and since cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in KTRs, it seems plausible that ID has adverse effects on the cardiovascular system in KTRs, as shown in other populations. No studies have so far directly assessed the association between ID and fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular outcomes in KTRs. However, it has been shown that ferritin and EPO are inversely correlated, possibly because ID promotes resistance to endogenous EPO, and that a higher EPO level is associated with a higher risk of both cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in KTRs [40]. Moreover, ID might contribute to the development of heart failure (HF), a major cause of morbidity and mortality in KTRs [41]. Although systolic heart function usually improves after transplantation, diastolic dysfunction (HF with preserved ejection fraction) tends to remain [42]. There is also an elevated incidence of incident HF in KTRs [43], which is strongly associated with anaemia both in KTRs and in the general population [43, 44]. To our knowledge, it is unknown whether ID is associated with incident HF in KTRs, although it has been described that N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) levels are much higher in KTRs with ID compared with iron-sufficient KTRs (Table 1) [2].

Bound to Hb and myoglobin, respectively, iron has a pivotal role in oxygen transport through the body and oxygen storage in myocytes. Iron is also directly involved in various steps of cellular energy metabolism. It is an essential component of aconitase and succinate dehydrogenase, catalyst enzymes of the Krebs cycle [4]. In ID, decreased intracellular oxygen availability and impaired function of the Krebs cycle force the cell towards anaerobic glycolysis. Since muscle tissue is highly dependent on aerobic glucose metabolism, it is likely that ID compromises cardiac and skeletal muscle cell function. In vitro, ID impairs mitochondrial respiration and cardiomyocyte contractility [45, 46]. In animal models, a low-iron diet caused structural cardiac defects, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) [47, 48].

Multiple studies have reported strong associations between ID and decreased exercise tolerance in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) with either reduced or preserved left LVEF, which occur independently of Hb concentrations [49, 50].

Since 2007, six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have addressed the effects of intravenous (IV) iron supplementation in iron-deficient patients with CHF; most of them also had mildly to moderately impaired kidney function (Table 2). IV iron supplementation resulted in an improved quality of life and exercise capacity and reduced the incidence of acute HF compared with placebo or standard treatment. Interestingly, ID correction also had significant effects in non-anaemic patients in most trials. In a meta-analysis of four RCTs, IV administration of ferric(III)carboxymaltose (FCM) significantly reduced cardiovascular mortality [51]. Evaluation of iron status and correction of ID are now integrated with the management of CHF patients according to guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology [52]. Meanwhile, several large trials in acute and chronic HF are ongoing to clarify the effects of ID correction on clinical outcomes [53]. Given the high prevalence and impact of HF in KTRs, the role of ID and the therapeutic value of iron supplementation in this population should be elucidated.

Table 2.

Overview of RCT addressing the effect of IV iron on clinical outcomes in patients with chronic HF and ID

Study	PMID	Year	Criteria for anaemia/iron status	Interventions (N)	Mean kidney function at baseline	Follow-up (weeks)	Outcome (intervention versus control)
Toblli et al.	17950147	2007	Hb <12.5 g/dL; TSAT <20%; Ferritin <100 μg/L	IV ISC (n = 20) IV saline (n = 20)	CrCl 39.8 ± 10.1 (ISC) CrCl 37.7 ± 10.2 mL/min (placebo)	24	NTproBNP↓ (P < 0.01) LVEF↑ (P < 0.01) HRQoL↑ (P < 0.01) 6 MWT↑ (P < 0.01)
FERRIC-HF	18191732	2008	Ferritin <100 μg/L or 100–300 μg/L with TSAT <20%	IV ISC (n = 24) Standard care (n = 11)	sCr 109 ± 42 µmol/L (ISC) sCr 104 ± 39 µmol/L (standard care)	18	pVO2↑ (NS, P = 0.08) NYHA↓ (P = 0.007) GAF↑ (P = 0.002) HRQoL (NS, P = 0.07)
FAIR-HF (+ post hoc studies)	19920054 22297124 25683972	2009, 2015	Ferritin <100 μg/L or 100–300 μg/L with TSAT <20%	IV FCM (n = 304) IV saline (n = 155)	eGFR 63.8 ± 21.2 mL/min (FCM) eGFR 64.8 ± 25.3 mL/min (placebo)	26	GAF↑ (P < 0.001) NYHA↓ (P < 0.001) 6 MWT↑ HRQoL↑ (P < 0.001) eGFR↑ (P = 0.04)
IRON-HF	23680589	2013	Hb 9–12 g/dL; ferritin <500 μg/L; TSAT <20%	IV ISC (n = 10) IV saline (n = 6) Oral FS (n = 7)	sCr 97 ± 27 µmol/L (total cohort)	12	pVO2 (NS) NYHA (NS) eGFR (NS)
CONFIRM-HF	25176939	2015	Hb <15 g/dL; Ferritin <100 μg/L or 100–300 μg/L with TSAT<20%	IV FCM (n = 150) IV saline (n = 151)	eGFR 66.4 ± 21.7 mL/min (FCM) eGFR 63.5 ± 20.9 mL/min (placebo)	52	6 MWT↑ (P = 0.002) NYHA↓ (P < 0.001) GAF↑ (P = 0.001) HRQoL↑ (P < 0.05) Acute HF↓ (P = 0.009)
EFFECT-HF	28701470	2017	Hb <15 g/dL; Ferritin <100 μg/L or 100–300 μg/L with TSAT <20%	IV FCM (n = 86) Standard care (n = 86)	eGFR 52 ± 13 mL/min (FCM) eGFR 51 ± 12 mL/min (placebo)	24	pVO2↑ (P = 0.02)a GAF↑ (P < 0.05) NYHA↓ (P < 0.05) NTproBNP↓ (NS)

^aOnly significant after imputation.

FS: ferrous sulphate; VO₂: peak VO₂; HRQoL: health-related quality of life; NYHA: New York Heart Association Class; NTproBNP: N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide; 6 MWT: six-minute walk test; GAF: Global Assessment of Functioning; NS: non-significant; CrCl: creatinine clearance; sCr: serum creatinine.

ID, fibroblast growth factor 23 and mortality risk

Emerging data, both in the general population and in KTRs, show that ID is associated with elevated fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) levels and suggest that the association between ID and increased mortality in KTRs is at least partly mediated by FGF23 [54, 55].

FGF23 is a phosphaturic hormone secreted by osteocytes. FGF23 reduces phosphate reabsorption from the proximal tubule of the kidney and suppresses 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels [56]. In CKD, FGF23 increases progressively and there may be a 1000-fold increase in ESRD. After kidney transplantation, FGF23 levels decrease but often remain elevated during the first weeks to months, and sometimes even years after transplantation, contributing to a tendency to hypophosphataemia [57–59].

FGF23 has been independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality and allograft loss in KTRs [60, 61]. It is likely that off-target effects of high FGF23 levels underlie these associations, as several animal studies have shown that intact FGF23 causes left ventricular hypertrophy [62]. Further mechanisms by which FGF23 may lead to adverse outcomes include over-stimulation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, volume overload via effects on renal sodium handling [63–65] and promotion of inflammation [66]. Although studies report inconsistent effects of FGF23 on vascular calcification in other populations, FGF23 was an independent predictor of vascular stiffness in KTRs [67].

More studies are needed to elucidate the role of FGF23 as intermediate between ID and adverse outcomes, particularly in the KTR population.

Iron and infection

Bacteria need iron to thrive, and compete to acquire it [68]. Some pathogenic bacteria, including Enterobacteria, Pseudomonas and Neisseria species, have adapted to iron scarcity and can express siderophores, compounds with a high affinity for iron, to obtain iron from the environment [68, 69]. At the same time, ID may directly affect the immune system, as discussed in more detail below [70]. In KTRs, this is of particular relevance because in these patients the balance between suppression of the allo-immune response and the risk of infection resulting from immunosuppressive therapy is narrow. An overview of studies addressing the association between ID and infection or the effect of iron therapy on incidence of infections in KTRs is provided in Table 1.

Clinical studies confirm that ID can protect against bacterial and parasitic infections [71], and that iron overload is associated with worse prognosis in patients suffering from bacteraemia, sepsis, tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) [72–74]. In KTRs, a ferritin concentration of >500 μg/L in the first weeks after transplantation has been associated with a higher risk of infection (26% versus 41%) [33]. In the same study, TSAT was not associated with the risk of infection, which suggests that inflammation rather than ID may have been the driving factor for higher ferritin levels [35].

In contrast, other studies suggest that ID can increase susceptibility to bacterial infection. In a general population cohort of 61 852 people, a lower TSAT was associated with a higher risk of bacteraemia, even after correction for chronic diseases [75]. Less is known about the effect of ID on viruses. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) replication in vascular endothelial cells is reduced after iron chelation in vitro, which may be relevant to KTRs as primo CMV infection and CMV reactivation are common in these patients [76].

IRON AND ALLOGRAFT OUTCOMES

Patient data on iron status in relation to kidney allograft outcomes are scarce. A retrospective cohort study in 169 KTRs showed that a higher ferritin concentration was associated with better graft function and graft survival [34]. In contrast, a cohort study in 438 KTRs found no association between the percentage of hypochromic red blood cells (HRBCs) and graft failure, although there was a trend towards greater graft survival among KTR who received iron therapy at baseline [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24–1.09; P = 0.08] [3]. In a mouse heart transplant model, ID decreased allograft survival due to more severe rejection [77]. In contrast, a prolonged pancreatic islet or heart allograft survival was observed in rodents following either anti-transferrin receptor (TfR) antibody treatment or iron chelation therapy [78–80]. While clinical data on the effect of ID on kidney allograft outcomes are limited, more is known on the impact of iron (deficiency) on the immune system in general.

IRON AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Cellular immunity

Acute cellular rejection, mainly orchestrated by T-lymphocytes, is one of the major threats for kidney allograft survival. Although data on the role of iron in kidney transplantation specifically are scarce, iron seems to play an important role in immune cell function. T-cell activation leads to increased cytokine production and IL-2 receptor stimulation; both processes depend on iron [70, 81–83]. The T-cell receptor is co-expressed with both CD28 and the TfR [70], a transmembrane protein that facilitates the uptake of transferrin-bound iron from the circulation into the T cell. In addition to reducing TfR stimulation, ID also decreased the expression of the co-stimulatory molecule CD28 on thymocytes and splenocytes in mice [84].

ID affects T-cell proliferation as well, since iron is an essential cofactor in various steps in DNA synthesis [82, 85]. Both TfR upregulation and iron abundance have been associated with increased cell cycle progression, while ID decreased lymphocyte proliferation in mice and humans [86–89]. T-cell differentiation and maturation also require iron [89–91]. Decreased T-lymphocyte counts, CD4⁺ concentrations and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratios have been observed in some, but not all studies in iron-deficient patients [89, 90, 92–94].

ID may impair T-cell function through decreased production of IL-2, interferon-γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-10, IL-6 or IL-4, as observed in the majority of studies in mice and humans with ID [83, 88, 92, 95, 96]. In the context of acute vascular rejection, ID may also affect the influx of T cells in the endothelium by influencing the expression of endothelial adhesion molecules such as endothelial–leucocyte adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [76].

Overall, most studies seem to indicate that iron is important for T-cell proliferation and function. This underlines the relevance of future studies addressing the clinical impact of ID and iron supplementation on cellular immunity in kidney transplantation.

Humoral immunity

T-helper cells may activate B-lymphocytes, triggering the production of immunoglobulins against Humane Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules, endothelial cell antigens and ABO blood group antigens that may in turn activate the complement system and drive antibody-mediated rejection [97]. Until recently, there was little evidence of any impact of ID on B-lymphocytes [98, 99]. Yet, a very recent study revealed an important role for iron in T-cell independent B-cell activation and in B-cell proliferation, and documented impaired antibody responses during ID in mice and humans [100]. Although previous studies showed conflicting data on the association between iron status and immunoglobin concentrations, the recent work suggests that ID influences not only T-cell- but also B-cell-mediated immunity [100].

Innate immunity

The innate immune system can escalate organ graft rejection through activation of T-lymphocytes and by acting directly on the kidney transplant. Activated by foreign proteins through Toll-like receptors, macrophages promote rejection [97]. Macrophages have an important role in iron storage and recycling as well [4]. However, iron-overload in macrophages attenuates their anti-pathogenic and pro-inflammatory functions [34, 72]. Importantly, macrophage function also depends on iron and iron-containing haemoproteins [81, 101, 102]. Iron is involved in macrophage activation and differentiation, as well as prostaglandin synthesis and killing capacity [101]. Finally, ID decreases the expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class I molecules and thereby may enhance recognition and activation of Natural Killer (NK) cells by macrophages [103]. Hence, alterations in iron metabolism may affect all these facets of macrophage biology. This is supported by the observation that monocyte and macrophage phagocytic capacity and oxidative burst activity, or release of reactive oxygen species after activation, is impaired in children with IDA [92]. Iron-depleted macrophages had a reduced expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in response to a pro-inflammatory stimulus [102]. After induction of toxic nephritis, characterized by macrophage infiltration, iron-deficient rats showed less proteinuria and better kidney function [102].

Ischaemia and reperfusion during kidney transplantation lead to a sterile inflammatory response driving renal fibrosis: ischaemia–reperfusion injury (IRI). Granulocytes and neutrophils in particular are involved in IRI but also attract T-lymphocytes, promoting cellular rejection [104]. In granulocytes, IDA impairs the oxidative burst and pathogen killing capacity [89, 92]. Together, these findings point towards an important role for iron in innate immunity, and suggest that ID could impair the inflammatory response.

IRI and iron homoeostasis are closely linked. In a mouse model, renal IRI results in an iron shift from the liver and macrophages towards the kidneys and circulation, through the induction of the iron exporter ferroportin [105]. Hepcidin treatment, decreasing iron availability, reduced IRI, oxidative stress, renal epithelial cell apoptosis, acute tubular necrosis, neutrophil infiltration and inflammation, and improved renal function [105]. These results suggest that low iron concentrations may protect against IRI. This is supported by the observation that iron chelation during organ preservation reduces IRI in several animal models of heart, kidney or liver allograft transplantation [106–108].

In contrast, a protective effect of high iron concentrations has been proposed by others [34, 109]. Increased intra-renal iron concentrations in ferroportin knock-out mice provided protection against IRI [109]. Vaugier et al. also found a protective effect of iron against IRI [34]. Mice with iron overload (hfe^−/−) were less susceptible to IRI compared with wild-type mice. This protective effect of iron was attributed to a decreased recruitment of inflammatory macrophages, together with impaired macrophage responsiveness to stimulation by Toll-like receptor agonists and increased activation of the antioxidant response [34].

In conclusion, iron is pivotal for the proliferation, activation and function of T- and B-lymphocytes and macrophages. In the context of organ preservation before transplantation, ID and iron overload both appear to reduce IRI. How these observations ultimately impact clinical outcomes after kidney transplantation remain unclear, since only observational data on clinical outcomes are available.

IRON SUPPLEMENTATION IN KTRs

ID can be treated with either oral or IV iron preparations. In the context of CHF and CKD, IV iron supplementation has a superior efficacy to correct iron parameters, compared with oral preparations [5, 110, 111]. A likely explanation for this phenomenon is that hepcidin, which is increased by inflammation, prevents intestinal iron absorption. Moreover, oral iron supplementation is associated with side effects such as abdominal pain, obstipation or diarrhoea, and compliance is notoriously poor [112]. Furthermore, different studies have demonstrated that oral iron supplements change the gut microbiome in favour of Bacteroides and Enterobacteria at the expense of symbiotic Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli [68]. Lactobacilli are among the few species that do not rely on iron availability. Human microbiota have a major interaction with the immune system and recent studies in kidney transplantation suggest an important effect of the host microbiota profile on diarrhoea, graft survival, the incidence of infections and metabolism of immunosuppressive medication [113–115]. Vice versa, immunosuppression affects the microbiome. In the first months after kidney transplantation, the microbiota profile shifts in favour of pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia, Salmonella, Yersinia, Campylobacter and Pseudomonas, while the diversity is significantly reduced [113, 116]. The impact of iron on the microbiota after transplantation has not been studied systematically. However, because of overgrowth of the pathogenic species that are known to express siderophores and need iron at the expense of iron-independent Lactobacilli, it could be speculated that intra-intestinal iron supplementation has a detrimental effect on the microbiota in KTRs and that abundance of intra-intestinal iron increases the risk of enteritis or abdominal sepsis. In a small RCT assessing the effects of oral iron supplementation in recently transplanted KTRs, there was no sign of increased infection risk [117].

The unfavourable effects of oral iron supplements can be avoided by IV iron administration. Although a single dose of oral iron sulphate (210 mg daily) may be as effective as a single dose of 500 mg IV iron polymaltose in patients with anaemia, IV iron supplementation may be more effective when given repeatedly [32, 118, 119]. FCM and iron sucrose (ISC) injections have been shown to be effective and safe in anaemic or iron-deficient KTRs [118, 120]. IV iron supplementation compared with oral treatment did not increase the risk of infection in a study of 102 KTRs [32]. There was a non-significant trend towards less gastro-intestinal side effects in the intravenously treated group [32].

A potential concern with the IV administration of iron in KTRs is the worsening of hypophosphataemia. Since ID is associated with increased FGF23 concentrations, it might be expected that iron supplementation reduces FGF23 and restores phosphate homoeostasis. Surprisingly, some IV iron preparations, such as iron polymaltose and FCM, are known to induce an acute rise in intact FGF23 and, as a result, a decrease in phosphate levels [121–125]. In a small cohort of 23 KTRs who had received up to 1000 mg FCM, mean serum phosphate concentrations decreased by 0.27 mmol/L on average, although only one patient needed short-term phosphate supplementation [123]. The relationship between use of different IV iron preparations and occurrence of hypophosphataemia needs to be delineated in more detail in future studies.

CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

ID is highly prevalent among KTRs and is an independent risk factor for premature mortality in this population. Potential mechanisms include direct effects on cardiac and skeletal muscle metabolism. Iron status also influences the immune system at various levels, but whether this impacts the risk of infection or rejection remains unclear. Iron supplementation might influence phosphate homoeostasis and the microbiome in KTRs, and therefore studies addressing the efficacy and safety of supplementation are needed. Iron supplementation in iron-deficient KTRs without overt anaemia is currently not recommended by guidelines, in the absence of supporting evidence.

The established beneficial effects of ID correction in CHF patients and ESRD patients, as recently demonstrated in the Proactive IV Iron Therapy in Haemodialysis Patients (PIVOTAL) trial, warrant prospective studies to demonstrate the clinical effects of iron supplementation in KTRs [6]. A randomized, controlled clinical trial to investigate the effect of FCM versus placebo on exercise capacity and quality of life in KTRs, and to explore its effects on phosphate metabolism, among others, is currently ongoing (EFFECT-KTx, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03769441). More studies are required to establish which is the optimal ID definition in KTRs, to further clarify its impact on morbidity and mortality, and to define optimal ID management strategies in KTRs.

FUNDING

This work has been supported by the Dutch Kidney Foundation (grant no 17OKG18). M.F.E. has received consulting fees from Vifor Pharma. D.A.H. has received lecture and consulting fees from Astellas Pharma and Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA, as well as grant support from Astellas Pharma, Chiesi Farmaceutici and Novartis. M.H.d.B. has received consulting fees from Amgen, Astra Zeneca, Bayer, Kyowa Kirin, Pharmacosmos, Sanofi Genzyme and Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma (all to employer).

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

None declared.