The emerging field of non-human leukocyte antigen antibodies in transplant medicine and beyond

Abstract

The major medical advances in our knowledge of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system have allowed us to uncover several gaps in our understanding of alloimmunity. Although the non-HLA system has long sparked the interest of the transplant community, recognition of the role of immunity to non-HLA antigenic targets has only emerged recently. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive summary of the paradigm-changing concept of immunity to the non-HLA angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), discovered by Duška Dragun et al., that began from careful bedside clinical observations, to validated detection of anti-AT1R antibodies and lead to clinical intervention. This scientific approach has also allowed the recognition of broader pathogenicity of anti-AT1R antibodies across multiple organ transplants and in other human diseases, the integration of both non-HLA and HLA systems to understand their immunologic effects on organ allografts, and the identification of future directions for therapeutic intervention to modulate immunity to AT1R. Rationally designed successful interventions to target AT1R system provide an exemplar for other non-HLA antibodies to cross borders between medical specialties, will generate new avenues in translational research beyond transplantation, and will foster the development of new and reliable tools to improve our understanding of non-HLA immunity and ultimately allow us to improve patient care.

Keywords: alloimmunity; angiotensin; antibodies; non–human leukocyte antigen; rejection; transplantation.