Clinical relevance of pretransplant human leukocyte antigen donor-specific antibodies in renal patients waiting for a transplant: a risk factor.
The use of highly sensitive solid-phase antibody detection assays, including x-MAP multiple bead-based technology (Luminex), has greatly enhanced our ability to accurately detect and define very low levels of HLA antibodies. These developments have led to patients having increasing lists of antibody specificities (which may not be clinically relevant), resulting in a new "technological barrier" to transplantation in sensitized patients. Alloantibodies play a major role in all types of solid organ rejection; the presence of low-titer donor-specific antigen (DSA) identified pretransplant is associated with an increased risk of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). However, these low-titer antibodies do not represent an absolute contraindication to transplant. Improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of AMR will allow sensitized patients with DSA to be successfully transplanted in the short term, but extended follow-up is required to ensure acceptable long-term graft survival in this group. These factors must be integrated into the decision algorithms for immunosuppressive treatment in patients at immunologic risk.
Clinical Transplantation Laboratory, Barts and the London NHS Trust, Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London, United Kingdom. arun.gupta@bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk
Arun
A
Gupta
Paul
P
Sinnott
D000917:Antibody Formation; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006648:Histocompatibility; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008863:Microspheres; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement; D014850:Waiting Lists
D006680:HLA Antigens; D007518:Isoantibodies; D003165:Complement System Proteins