Low risk of anti-human leukocyte antigen antibody sensitization after combined kidney and islet transplantation

Transplantation. 2008 Jul 27;86(2):357-9. doi: 10.1097/TP.0b013e31817ba628.

Abstract

Anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibody could lead to humoral rejection and a decrease in graft survival after kidney transplantation. A recent report has suggested that islet transplantation alone is associated with a high rate of sensitization. The withdrawal of the immunosuppressive therapy because of the progressive nonfunction of the islets could explain the high rate of sensitization. Because the specific risk of immunization of multiple islet infusions remains unknown, we studied the immunization rate in our cohort of multiple islet infusions transplant recipients. De novo anti-HLA antibodies were analyzed in 37 patients after islets alone (n=8), islet-after-kidney (n=13), and simultaneous islet-kidney (n=16) transplantation by solid phase assays over time. The rate of immunization was 10.8% that is comparable with the risk of immunization after kidney transplantation alone. Multiple islet infusions do not represent a specific risk for the development of anti-HLA antibodies after combined kidney-islets transplantation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Graft Rejection
  • HLA Antigens / chemistry
  • HLA Antigens / immunology*
  • Histocompatibility Testing
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Islets of Langerhans / pathology
  • Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / instrumentation
  • Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / methods*
  • Kidney Transplantation / immunology
  • Kidney Transplantation / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • HLA Antigens
  • Immunosuppressive Agents