Does MICA influence acute rejection in kidney transplantation?
MHC class 1-related chain A (MICA) has been reported to be recognized by specific antibodies in the sera of transplanted patients, and it may be a target molecule in allograft rejection. MICA was originally pointed out to be an HLA-related polymorphic gene, the product of which may be recognized by a subpopulation of intestinal gamma delta T-cells and may play a role in the activation of a subpopulation of natural killer cells. Although their association with chronic rejection has been demonstrated before, there are few reports of any relation with acute rejection. We encountered a possible case of MICA-related acute early rejection. The recipient was a 25-year-old female; the original disease was IgA nephropathy, and the hemodialysis period was 12 months. She underwent ABO-compatible living-related renal transplantation from her mother. The HLA type was A24, A31, B7, B52, DR1, and DR15 in the donor and A31, A33, B7, B44, DR1, and DR12 in the recipient. A pre-operative direct cross-match was negative by a conventional cytotoxic test, and HLA class 1 and 2 antibodies were negative by LABScreen single antigen testing. Induction immunosuppressive therapy was started with TAC, MMF, MP, and BXM. The graft functioned at once, and SCr was 2.4 mg/dl on post-transplant day 1. SCr increased from post-transplant day 2, and oliguria progressed. Hemodialysis was restarted on post-transplant day 6. A biopsy revealed Banff 2b vascular rejection. The graft was finally rescued by steroid pulse and plasma exchange therapy. SCr went down to 1.07 mg/dl, and a re-biopsy showed improvement on post-transplant day 42. HLA class 1 and 2 antibodies were negative during this period, and MICA019 antibody was higher before transplantation retrospectively. Additionally, this antibody titer was decreased at the time of discharge. These data show that MICA may induce rejection in the early phase of renal transplantation. Further study is needed to evaluate this phenomenon.
Kato
Masashi
M
Department of Urology, Chukyo Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.
Kinukawa
Tsuneo
T
Hattori
Ryohei
R
Tsuji
Yoshikazu
Y
Hirano
Atsushi
A
Horie
Katsunori
K
Tsuyuki
Mikito
M
Mizutani
Kazuo
K
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D019520:Living Donors; D009035:Mothers; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C099187:MHC class I-related chain A; D003404:Creatinine