The present invention relates to methods, reagents, and kits for assessing
organ damage, such as damage due to ischemia reperfusion injury, in the
course of a transplantation therapy and/or for assessing organ
regeneration following transplantation therapy. The invention provides a
method for determining an index of organ health in the course of
transplantation therapy comprising measuring the expression level of
peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) in the organ. Measuring the
expression level of PBR is also useful for assessing the progress of
organ regeneration in the course of transplantation therapy by comparing
the index of organ health. The expression level of PBR may be used as a
predictor of the outcome of transplantation therapy.