Antibody-mediated rejection of a pancreas allograft

Am J Transplant. 2006 Feb;6(2):423-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2005.01185.x.

Abstract

The role of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in pancreas transplantation is poorly understood. Here, we report on a patient who developed AMR of his pancreas allograft after receiving a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant. Pre-operative enhanced cytotoxicity and flow cytometry T-cell crossmatches were negative; B-cell crossmatches were not performed as per institutional protocol. The patient's post-operative course was significant for elevated serum amylase levels and development of hyperglycemia approximately 1 month after transplantation. A pancreatic biopsy at this time showed no cellular infiltrate but strong immunofluorescent staining for C4d in the interacinar capillaries. Analysis of the patient's serum identified donor-specific HLA-DR alloantibodies. He received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), rituximab and plasmapheresis, and his pancreatic function normalized. We conclude that clinically significant AMR can develop in a pancreas allograft and recommend that pancreatic biopsies be assessed for C4d deposition if the patient has risk factors for AMR and/or the pathologic evidence for cell-mediated rejection is underwhelming.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Capillaries / pathology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / surgery
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / surgery
  • Graft Rejection / immunology*
  • Graft Rejection / pathology
  • Graft Rejection / therapy
  • Humans
  • Isoantibodies / blood*
  • Kidney Transplantation / immunology*
  • Kidney Transplantation / pathology*
  • Male
  • Plasmapheresis
  • Renal Circulation
  • Transplantation, Homologous / immunology
  • Transplantation, Homologous / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Isoantibodies