Intravenous immunoglobulin induction treatment in flow cytometry cross-match-positive kidney transplant recipients

Hum Immunol. 2005 Apr;66(4):359-63. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2005.01.027.

Abstract

Many recent studies have demonstrated increased acute humoral, cellular, subclinical, or chronic rejection, and decreased allograft survival in flow cytometry cross-match-positive kidney transplant recipients. The use of newer techniques and more sensitive of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or Flow Beads (microparticle based methods), donor-specific anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies have been detected in these immunologically high-risk patients. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has immunomodulatory effects and has been demonstrated to downregulate anti-HLA antibodies in highly sensitized dialysis patients awaiting transplantation. Our initial studies demonstrate that IVIG induction treatment is promising in flow cytometry cross-match-positive kidney transplant recipients, and thus, those patients should not be excluded from receiving transplantation despite a positive flow cytometry cross match. Further studies with long-term follow-up are required to determine the effective dose and duration of IVIG treatment, and additional studies are needed to determine the most accurate tests for risk stratification.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Flow Cytometry*
  • Graft Rejection / immunology
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control*
  • HLA Antigens / immunology*
  • Histocompatibility Testing*
  • Humans
  • Isoantibodies / adverse effects
  • Isoantibodies / biosynthesis*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / immunology
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy
  • Kidney Transplantation / immunology*

Substances

  • HLA Antigens
  • Isoantibodies