The numbers of patients undergoing organ or cell transplantation has increased steadily over the years and around 250,000 individuals are living nowadays in Europe with a transplanted organ. The immunosuppressive drugs that are currently used in the clinical practice are efficient at preventing or controlling early acute rejection episodes and allow for the excellent results of organ transplantation in the short term. However, the long-term outcome of organ transplantation is by far less successful since current immunosuppression does not efficiently prevent the chronic process that progressively damages the transplant over the years, eventually leading to its loss. Furthermore, the immunosuppressive drugs that are currently used induce a global depression of immune responses, increase the risk of late cancer development and create additional problems by exerting significant side effects outside the immune system.

IMI scientists conduct clinical investigations and experimental studies aiming at avoiding or minimizing long-term exposure to immunosuppressive drugs. Their projects are focused on the role of innate immunity in the induction of transplant rejection, regulatory circuits controlling alloreactive T lymphocytes, and tailoring immunosuppression according to biomarkers of immunological reactivity.

IMI projects in the field of liver transplantation are conducted in the framework of the RISET Integrated Project launched in March 2005 by the EU Commission to improve the long-term outcome of solid organ transplants. The RISET network coordinated by IMI gathers 24 academic centers and industrial enterprises.