Purpose: Induction immunosuppression has improved the long-term outcomes after lung transplant. This is the first report exploring the association of induction immunosuppression with the development of de novo donor-specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies (DSA) in lung transplant recipients (LTR).
Methods: Sixty-seven consecutive primary LTR were followed for 3 years posttransplant. A total of 41/67 (61%) LTR-received induction immunosuppression using a single dose of rabbit Antithymocyte Globulin (rATG; 1.5 mg/kg) within 24 h of transplant. All recipients had a negative flow cytometry crossmatch on the day of transplant. Serum samples at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months posttransplant were assessed for the presence of de novo HLA DSA.
Results: De novo HLA DSA were detected in 22/67 (32.8%) LTR within 1-year posttransplant. Of these, 9/41 (21.9%) occurred in the induction therapy group and 13/26 (50%) in the noninduction group. Class II DSA were detected in 3/41 (7.3%) LTR who received induction compared to 9/26 (34.6%) LTR without induction immunosuppression (p = .005). Differences in overall survival or freedom from chronic lung allograft dysfunction rates between the two groups were not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Induction immunosuppression utilizing a modified regimen of single-dose rATG is associated with a significant reduction in de novo DSA production in LTR.
© 2021 The Authors. Immunity, Inflammation and Disease published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.