Kervella D, Casanova-Ferrer F, Kotton CN, Donadeu L, Kumar D, Pineda S,
Crespo E, Meneghini M, González-Costelo J, García-Romero E, Lladó L, Cachero A, Melilli E, Torres IB, Martínez-Lacalle A, Castañeda Z, Martinez-Gallo M, Len O,
Los-Arcos I, Trilla-Herrera E, Miret E, Giral M, Brouard S, Girardin FR, Villard
J, Budde K, Lefaucheur C, Loupy A, Moreso F, Bestard O.
A New Prognostic Score Based on Cell-Mediated Immunity for Cytomegalovirus Infection After Transplantation
Kidney International Reports 2025; 10 (9): 3044-3057
DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2025.06.056
IF: 5.7
RESEARCH GROUPS
Nephrology and kidney transplantation
39
Number of publications
74.36
%
% Q1
51.28
%
% D1
51.28
%
% Leadership
65.00
%
% Female Leadership
2.54
CROWN (2021-2025)
29.39
%
HCP10% (2021-2025)
58.97
%
% Open access
48.72
%
% International Collaboration
12
Highly cited papers / HCP 1% (2021-2025)
6
Publications in high-IF journals with high Altmetric scores
26
Number of Ongoing Projectes (total)
1
International ongoing projects
5
Number of New projects (total)
0
International new projects
43
Number of Active clinical Trials
9
Number of New Clinical Trials
0
Number of Theses
The Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation Research Group at Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca conducts translational research integrating immunology, clinical nephrology, and advanced technologies. In 2025, its main priorities included understanding alloimmune mechanisms, identifying non-invasive biomarkers for early detection of graft rejection, and advancing personalized immunosuppression strategies. The group is also developing innovative therapies, including immune tolerance induction through autologous stem cell–based “immune reset” approaches, particularly for highly sensitized patients. Additional research focuses on infectious complications such as cytomegalovirus and chronic kidney diseases including diabetic nephropathy and autoimmune glomerulopathies. Supported by national and European funding, the group is highly active in clinical trials, multi-omics, and computational biology, reinforcing its leadership in kidney transplantation research.
CORE/MISSIONS
- Innovative & Advanced Therapies
- Transplant & Immunomodulation
PROGRAMS
TEAM
Group Leader
Oriol Bestard Matamoros and Maria José Soler Romeo
Principal Investigator (PI)
Francesc Moreso, Maria Meneghini, Irina B. Torres, Sheila Bermejo
Researchers
Kervella Delphine, Joana Sellarés, Elena Crespo, Franc Casanova Ferrer
PhD Students
Claudia Carrera Muñoz, Jorge Ivan Zamora Carrillo, Laura Donadeu Casassas, , Anna Martínez Lacalle, Marta Prades Martínez, Patricia Picallo Ramos
Lab Technicians
Cristina Font Miñarro, Yi Ji, Mariona Juvé
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Sellarés J, Casanova F, Perez-Saez MJ, Cucchiari D, Coloma A, Vila A, Facundo
C, Kervella D, Molina M, Moreso F, Melilli E, Diekmann F, Crespo M, Bestard O.
Blood Gene Expression Profiling and Donor-derived Cell-free DNA to Noninvasively Diagnose Clinical and Subclinical Kidney Transplant Rejection: A Real-life Appraisal Study
Transplantation 2025; 109 (6): 1026-1037
DOI: 10.1097/TP.0000000000005257
IF: 5.0
Torija A, Matignon M, Vincenti F, Casanova-Ferrer F, Pilon C, Tambur AR, Donadeu L, Crespo E, Kervella D, Meneghini M, Torres IB, Hafkamp F, Martinez-Lacalle A, Carrera C, Zúñiga J, Brar A, Cruzado J, Gaber AO, Lee H, Montgomery RA, Stegall M, Carmagnat M, Usureau C, Moreso F, Grimbert P, Bestard O.
Anti-HLA serologic response to CD38-targeting desensitization therapy is challenged by peripheral memory B cells in highly sensitized kidney transplant candidates
American Journal of Transplantation 2025; 25 (1): 88-101
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2024.08.004
IF: 8.2
Sablik M, Sannier A, Raynaud M, Goutaudier V, Divard G, Astor BC, Weng P, Smith J, Garro R, Warady BA, Zahr RS, Twombley K, Dharnidharka VR, Dandamudi RS, Fila M, Huang E, Sellier-Leclerc AL, Tönshoff B, Rabant M, Verine J, Del Bello A, Berney T, Boyer O, Catar RA, Danger R, Giral M, Yoo D, Girardin FR, Alsadi A, Gourraud PA, Morelon E, Le Quintrec M, Try M, Villard J, Zhong W, Bestard O, Budde K, Chauveau B, Couzi L, Brouard S, Hogan J, Legendre C, Anglicheau D, Aubert O, Kamar N, Lefaucheur C, Loupy A.
Microvascular Inflammation of Kidney Allografts and Clinical Outcomes
New England Journal of Medicine 2025; 392 (8): 763-776
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2408835
IF: 78.5
Casal Moura M, Patricio-Liébana M, Zand L, Zubidat D, Vargas-Brochero MJ, Valencia D, Machado M, Abouzahir S, Specks U, Sethi S, Fervenza FC, Soler MJ.
Sex-specific clinical presentations and outcomes in ANCA-associated vasculitis presenting with severe kidney disease
Nephrology, Dialysis & Transplantation 2025; 40 (12): 2359-2371
DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfaf120
IF: 5.6
SELECTED PROJECTS
HORUS, Casting light on HOst-cytomegaloviRUs interaction in Solid organ transplantation
Principal Investigator: Oriol Bestard Matamoros
Agency: European Comission
Funding: 451,700.00 €
Period: 01/11/2022 - 31/10/2027
RESET INMUNOLÓGICO PARA PERMITIR ACCESO AL TRASPLANTE RENAL HLA COMPATIBLE EN PACIENTES HIPERSENSIBILIZADOS (ENSAYO RESET)
Principal Investigator: Oriol Bestard Matamoros
Agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 465,456.69 €
Period: 01/09/2024 - 30/08/2028
DISECCIÓN Y PROMOCIÓN DE INMUNIDAD ADAPTATIVA ESPECÍFICA FRENTE AL POLIOMAVIRUS (BKV) PARA PREVENIR LAINFECCIÓN VIRAL TRAS EL TRASPLANTE RENAL (PROYECTO BK-VAX)
Principal Investigator: Oriol Bestard Matamoros & Elena Crespo Gimeno
Agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 174,240.00 €
Period: 01/01/2023 - 31/12/2025
CONTRIBUCIÓN DE LA ALOREACTIVIDAD Y AUTOREACTIVIDAD EN EL MICROAMBIENTE INFLAMATORIO LOCAL EN EL RECHAZO MEDIADO POR ANTICUERPOS EN TRASPLANTE RENAL
Principal Investigator: Irina Betsabé Torres Rodríguez i Francesc J. Moreso Mateos
Agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 96.250,00 €
Period: 2024-2026
TOWARDS A PERSONALIZED CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF ONCOLOGIC PATIENTS WITH ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY (AKI) ASSOCIATED TO IMMUNE-CHECKPOINT INHIBITORS (ICIs)
Principal Investigator: Maria José Soler Romeo - European Coordinator (PI)
Agency: ERA PerMed JTC2022
Funding: 1,221,932.00 €
Period: 2023-2025
PATENTS
Method for detecting antibody-secreting B cells specific for HLA
Priority Number: EP/04.06.14/EPA 14382214
Priority Date: 04/06/2015
Applicants: VHIR (100%)
Diagnosis of allograft rejection
Priority Number: SF-2020-237-1-EP-0,ZBM. Ref: P5489EP00
Priority Date: 2020
Applicants: VHIR (100%)
LABORATORY DEVICE FOR COLLECTING OF ANIMAL SAMPLES
Priority Number: 202131356
Priority Date: 29/06/2021
Applicants: VHIR (100%)
CMV-PrognosTIC score Web-application
Priority Number: 2403127310829
Priority Date: 12/03/2024
Applicants: VHIR (100%)
Fusion protein CTLA4 PD-L2
Priority Number: PCT/EP2024/061660
Priority Date: 2025
Applicants: VHIR (100%)
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES
World Kidney Day 2025
Place: Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona
Date: 13/03/2025
Brief: Vall d’Hebron organized awareness activities focused on kidney health. The initiative aimed to highlight the importance of early detection of kidney disease, promote healthy lifestyle habits, and educate the public about risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension. Healthcare professionals provided information, screenings, and guidance to encourage prevention and better management of kidney conditions. The event also emphasized the role of regular check-ups and public awareness in reducing the impact of chronic kidney disease.
I PRECEPTORSHIP ON KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION
Place: Solid Organ Transplant Center. Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron. Barcelona
Date: 7-10, October, 2025
Brief: The Preceptorship on Kidney Transplantation 2025 at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital is an educational program designed for healthcare professionals interested in advanced kidney transplant care. The initiative focuses on sharing expertise in patient selection, surgical techniques, immunosuppressive therapy, and post-transplant follow-up.
Participants benefit from direct interaction with multidisciplinary teams, including nephrologists, surgeons, and specialized nurses, gaining practical insights into clinical decision-making and complex case management. The program also promotes the exchange of knowledge and best practices to improve outcomes in kidney transplantation.
