title: Pancreas transplantation, antibodies and rejection: where do we stand?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is acknowledged and defined in kidney transplantation, but where do we stand as far as pancreas transplantation is concerned? Here we appraise the most recent findings in pancreatic AMR and give suggestions for future research in the field by addressing currently unresolved issues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five main topics are discussed: chronological assessment of all literature on biopsy-proven pancreatic AMR; role of C4d and recent development in other markers; the use of sentinel organs, such as kidney biopsies and duodenal patch biopsies for diagnosis of pancreatic AMR; studies addressing islet pathology and its relevance in AMR; and protocol and follow-up pancreas biopsy practice in relation to pancreas transplant management and survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antibody-mediated processes play a role in pancreas transplantation. However, sensitive markers, pathophysiological understanding, and adequate interventions have not yet been established. Much data are still lacking and we believe that studying protocol and follow-up biopsies along with serial donor-specific antibody data may improve pancreas transplant patient management and outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Hanneke
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: de Kort
authors.forename: Candice
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roufosse
authors.forename: Ingeborg M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Bajema
authors.forename: Cinthia B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Drachenberg
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D015935:Complement C4b / Q000276:immunology*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D016035:Pancreas Transplantation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007518:Isoantibodies; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D015935:Complement C4b; C032261:complement C4d