Isoagglutinin titre adsorption: breaking the barrier in major AB0-incompatible organ transplantation

Transfus Apher Sci. 2009 Aug;41(1):45-8. doi: 10.1016/j.transci.2009.05.012. Epub 2009 Jun 10.

Abstract

Blood group AB0-incompatible live donor (LD) renal transplantation may provide a significant source of organs. AB0-incompatible LD renal transplantation can be accomplished using specific anti-A/B antibody (Ab) immunoadsorption (IA) and anti-CD20 monoclonal Ab (Rituximab) treatment. One dose of anti-CD20 mAb (rituximab, 375 mg/m(2)) is given for weeks pre-operatively. Recipients are pre-treated with 3-5 sessions of immunoadsorption, using A or B carbohydrate antigen specific columns, until their anti-A1/B RBC panel indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) titres are <8. Polyclonal immunoglobulins are applied four days before transplantation. Recipients receive preoperative mycophenolic acid, steroids/tacrolimus therapy. No splenectomy was performed. Postoperative IA is applied if RBC panel indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) titres are >8. Postoperative renal biopsies may yield positive C4d staining in peritubular capillaries as sign of humoral immune activation but the clinical course is favourable if IAT titres can be kept below 8 within the first weeks after transplantation. This protocol has excellent short-term and long-term graft survival as well as function although recipient anti-A/B titres after transplantation return to pre-surgical levels within months after transplantation.

MeSH terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Biopsy
  • Blood Group Incompatibility / immunology*
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Graft Survival / immunology*
  • Hemagglutinins / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Humoral
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Kidney Transplantation / immunology*
  • Kidney Transplantation / pathology
  • Living Donors
  • Rituximab

Substances

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Hemagglutinins
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Rituximab
  • Creatinine