Increased levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α in donor lungs rejected for transplantation

Levels of IL-1β and TNF-α are significantly higher in donor lungs rejected for transplantation using clinical criteria. However, a sub-set of non-used lungs had low levels of IL-1β and TNF-α and thus could potentially have been used for transplantation. In the near future, these markers could be used to assist in the lung donor selection process and to monitor organ reparative strategies.