Antibodies to equine antithymocyte globulin in heart transplant recipients: evaluation of an enzyme immunoassay.
An isotype-specific microELISA is presented for the measurement of antibodies to equine antithymocyte globulin in human heart transplant recipients. The assay conditions were optimized and evaluated in serial samples from 40 patients receiving a cardiac allograft. The results demonstrate that despite steroid immunosuppression and T cell cytopenia the majority of patients receiving antithymocyte globulin develop significant antibody responses, with some producing very high titres. IgM and IgG isotypes tended to predominate, with peak antibody responses occurring during the second and third weeks post-transplant.
D000818:Animals; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000032:analysis*; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000494:pharmacology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006736:Horses / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000187:drug effects; D014181:Transplantation Immunology
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D003524:Cyclosporins; D007518:Isoantibodies; C035678:anti-Thy antibody; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor