Jeffrey Kiernan
MSc, PhD, D(ABHI)
Dr Kiernan completed his MSc in Medical Sciences at McMaster University and achieved his PhD in cell and tissue engineering at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (IBME) at the University of Toronto.
He completed postdoctoral training with the Centre for Transfusion Research at the University of Ottawa and Canadian Blood Services, followed by clinical training as an HLA Director-in-Training at University Health Network in Toronto.
Dr Kiernan became a Diplomat of the American Board of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics and was appointed Assistant Director of the HLA Laboratory at University Health Network in 2019.
Current academic affiliations include rank of Assistant Professor at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN (2013) and Assistant Professor within the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto (2020).
Research Synopsis
At present, solid organ transplant represents the only cure for end-stage organ failure.
Six decades of continuous improvement in graft survival has been championed by advancements in the understanding of human leukocyte antigen (HLA).
Recent progress in the characterization of the allo-response to organ transplant suggest that similarities in the specific HLA protein structures (epitopes) shared between host and graft can facilitate longer graft survival.
I am interested in identifying permissive and problematic epitope combinations that could lead the way to personalized medicine-based applications to improve graft survival.
Other research interests include the advancement of cell therapy and tissue engineering products into clinical use. Specifically, I am interested in exploring the allosensitization potential of engineered cell and tissues in an effort to overcome this potential hurdle to prolonged engraftment.
The Regional HLA lab
The Regional HLA lab is affiliated with the University Health Network.
It provides services to various clinical programs including solid organ (kidney, lung, heart, pancreas, liver, etc.) and hematopoietic stem cell transplant programs at various hospitals in the Greater Toronto Area.
Modern HLA testing platforms are currently being used in HLA antibody identification, HLA typing, and crossmatch testing.
Our focus areas include standardization of HLA testing methodologies, optimization of testing platforms, implementation and development of novel assays in various aspect of clinical HLA testing.
Recent Publications
Allan D, Kiernan J, Gragert L, Dibdin N, Bartlett D, Campbell T, Mostert K, Halpenny M, Ganz K, Maiers M, Petraszko T. “Reducing ethnic disparity in access to high‐quality HLA‐matched cord blood units for transplantation: analysis of the Canadian Blood Services' Cord Blood Bank inventory”. Transfusion. (2019) Jul;59(7):2382-8.
Kiernan JJ, Ellison C.A, Tinckam K.J. “Measuring Alloantibodies: A matter of quantity and quality”. Current Opinions in Organ Transplantation. (2018) Feb;24(1): 20-30. PMID: 30507703.
Kiernan J, Greco-Stewart V, Killeen D, Haun S, Mercer D, Young K, Liwski R.S, Allan D.S. (2017) “Selection of unrelated donors for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in Canada: an evaluation of transplant centre choices”. Transfusion. (2017) Mar;58(3):718-25. PMID: 29277913.
Kiernan J, Davies J.E, Stanford W.L. “Musculoskeletal stem cells to treat age-related osteoporosis”. Stem Cells Translational Medicine. (2017) Oct;6(10):1930-1939. PMID: 28834263.
Kiernan J, Damien P, Monaghan M, Shorr R, McIntyre L, Fergusson D, Tinmouth A, Allan, D. “Clinical studies of ex vivo expansion to accelerate engraftment after umbilical cord blood transplantation: A systematic review”. Transfusion Medicine Reviews. (2016) Jul;31(3):173-182. PMID: 28087163.
Kiernan J, Hu S, Grynpas M, Davies J.E, Stanford W.L. “Systemic mesenchymal stromal cell transplantation prevents functional bone loss in a mouse model of age-related osteoporosis”. Stem Cells Translational Medicine. (2016) Mar;5(5):683-693. PMID: 26987353.