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Park BH, Kim YN, Shin HS. New treatment for antibody-mediated rejection: interleukin-6 inhibitors. CLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION AND RESEARCH 2024; 38:1-6. [PMID: 38725179 PMCID: PMC11075910 DOI: 10.4285/ctr.23.0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Following kidney transplantation, antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) occurs when the antibodies of the immune system attack the transplanted organ, leading to damage of the kidney tissue. De novo human leukocyte antigen donor-specific antibodies (HLA-DSAs) play a key role in AMR. Current therapeutic approaches include intravenous immunoglobulin, anti-CD20 antibodies, and plasmapheresis. In cases resistant to treatment, proteasome inhibitors and C5 inhibitors may be employed. Nevertheless, a pressing need exists for new medications to improve transplant survival and reduce complications. In the context of AMR, interleukin (IL)-6 is instrumental in the development and maturation of B cells into plasma cells, which then produce HLA-DSAs targeting the allograft. IL-6 inhibitors are currently under investigation and show promise due to the essential role of IL-6 in the immune response; however, additional research is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byung Hwa Park
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kosin University Gospel Hospital, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
- Transplantation Research Institute, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Ye Na Kim
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kosin University Gospel Hospital, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
- Transplantation Research Institute, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Ho Sik Shin
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kosin University Gospel Hospital, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
- Transplantation Research Institute, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
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Betjes MGH, Kal-van Gestel J, Roodnat JI, de Weerd AE. The Incidence of Antibody-Mediated Rejection Is Age-Related, Plateaus Late After Kidney Transplantation, and Contributes Little to Graft Loss in the Older Recipients. Transpl Int 2023; 36:11751. [PMID: 38188697 PMCID: PMC10768842 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2023.11751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
It is not known whether antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) is age-related, whether it plateaus late after transplantation, and to what extent it contributes to graft loss in older recipients. Patients transplanted between 2010 and 2015 (n = 1,054) in a single center had regular follow-up until January 2023. Recipients were divided into age groups at transplantation: 18-39 years ("young"), 40-55 years ("middle age"), and >55 years ("elderly"). Ten years after transplantation the cumulative % of recipients with ABMR was 17% in young, 15% in middle age, and 12% in elderly recipients (p < 0.001). The cumulative incidence of ABMR increased over time and plateaued 8-10 years after transplantation. In the elderly, with a median follow-up of 7.5 years, on average 30% of the recipients with ABMR died with a functional graft and ABMR contributed only 4% to overall graft loss in this group. These results were cross-validated in a cohort of recipients with >15 years follow-up. Multivariate cox-regression analysis showed that increasing recipient age was independently associated with decreasing risk for ABMR. In conclusion, the cumulative risk for ABMR is age-dependent, plateaus late after transplantation, and contributes little to overall graft loss in older recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel G. H. Betjes
- Rotterdam Transplantation Institute, Department of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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López Del Moral C, Wu K, Naik M, Osmanodja B, Akifova A, Lachmann N, Stauch D, Hergovits S, Choi M, Bachmann F, Halleck F, Schrezenmeier E, Schmidt D, Budde K. Predictors of graft failure after first detection of de novo donor-specific HLA antibodies in kidney transplant recipients. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2023; 39:84-94. [PMID: 37410616 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfad149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND De novo donor-specific antibodies (dnDSAs) may cause antibody-mediated rejection and graft dysfunction. Little is known about the clinical course after first detection of dnDSAs during screening in asymptomatic patients. We aimed to assess the value of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and proteinuria to predict graft failure in patients with dnDSAs and their potential utility as surrogate endpoints. METHODS All 400 kidney transplant recipients with dnDSAs at our centre (1 March 2000-31 May 2021) were included in this retrospective study. The dates of graft loss, rejection, doubling of creatinine, ≥30% eGFR decline, proteinuria ≥500 mg/g and ≥1000 mg/g were registered from the first dnDSA appearance. RESULTS During 8.3 years of follow-up, graft failure occurred in 33.3% of patients. Baseline eGFR and proteinuria correlated with 5-year graft loss (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve 0.75 and 0.80, P < .001). Creatinine doubled after a median of 2.8 years [interquartile range (IQR) 1.5-5.0] from dnDSA and the time from doubling creatinine to graft failure was 1.0 year (IQR 0.4-2.9). Analysing eGFR reduction ≥30% as a surrogate endpoint (148/400), the time from dnDSA to this event was 2.0 years (IQR 0.6-4.2), with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 45.9% to predict graft loss, which occurred after 2.0 years (IQR 0.8-3.2). The median time from proteinuria ≥500 mg/g and ≥1000 mg/g to graft failure was identical, 1.8 years, with a PPV of 43.8% and 49.0%, respectively. Composite endpoints did not improve PPV. Multivariable analysis showed that rejection was the most important independent risk factor for all renal endpoints and graft loss. CONCLUSIONS Renal function, proteinuria and rejection are strongly associated with graft failure in patients with dnDSA and may serve as surrogate endpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Covadonga López Del Moral
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Nephrology, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital-IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Kaiyin Wu
- Department of Pathology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcel Naik
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bilgin Osmanodja
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Aylin Akifova
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nils Lachmann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, HLA-Laboratory, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Diana Stauch
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, HLA-Laboratory, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabine Hergovits
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, HLA-Laboratory, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mira Choi
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Friederike Bachmann
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabian Halleck
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eva Schrezenmeier
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Academy, Berlin, Germany
| | - Danilo Schmidt
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klemens Budde
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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van den Broek DAJ, Meziyerh S, Budde K, Lefaucheur C, Cozzi E, Bertrand D, López del Moral C, Dorling A, Emonds MP, Naesens M, de Vries APJ. The Clinical Utility of Post-Transplant Monitoring of Donor-Specific Antibodies in Stable Renal Transplant Recipients: A Consensus Report With Guideline Statements for Clinical Practice. Transpl Int 2023; 36:11321. [PMID: 37560072 PMCID: PMC10408721 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2023.11321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Solid phase immunoassays improved the detection and determination of the antigen-specificity of donor-specific antibodies (DSA) to human leukocyte antigens (HLA). The widespread use of SPI in kidney transplantation also introduced new clinical dilemmas, such as whether patients should be monitored for DSA pre- or post-transplantation. Pretransplant screening through SPI has become standard practice and DSA are readily determined in case of suspected rejection. However, DSA monitoring in recipients with stable graft function has not been universally established as standard of care. This may be related to uncertainty regarding the clinical utility of DSA monitoring as a screening tool. This consensus report aims to appraise the clinical utility of DSA monitoring in recipients without overt signs of graft dysfunction, using the Wilson & Junger criteria for assessing the validity of a screening practice. To assess the evidence on DSA monitoring, the European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT) convened a dedicated workgroup, comprised of experts in transplantation nephrology and immunology, to review relevant literature. Guidelines and statements were developed during a consensus conference by Delphi methodology that took place in person in November 2022 in Prague. The findings and recommendations of the workgroup on subclinical DSA monitoring are presented in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis A. J. van den Broek
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Leiden Transplant Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Soufian Meziyerh
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Leiden Transplant Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Klemens Budde
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carmen Lefaucheur
- Paris Translational Research Center for Organ Transplantation, Kidney Transplant Department, Saint Louis Hospital, Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Emanuele Cozzi
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Transplant Immunology Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Dominique Bertrand
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation and Hemodialysis, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Covadonga López del Moral
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Valdecilla Biomedical Research Institute (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain
| | - Anthony Dorling
- Department of Inflammation Biology, Centre for Nephrology, Urology and Transplantation, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marie-Paule Emonds
- Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory (HILA), Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Mechelen, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maarten Naesens
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Aiko P. J. de Vries
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Leiden Transplant Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
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Betjes MGH, De Weerd A. Lowering maintenance immune suppression in elderly kidney transplant recipients; connecting the immunological and clinical dots. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1215167. [PMID: 37502354 PMCID: PMC10368955 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1215167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The management of long-term immune suppressive medication in kidney transplant recipients is a poorly explored field in the area of transplant medicine. In particular, older recipients are at an increased risk for side effects and have an exponentially increased risk of infection-related death. In contrast, an aged immune system decreases the risk of acute T-cell-mediated rejection in older recipients. Recent advances in alloimmunity research have shown a rapid and substantial decline in polyfunctional, high-risk CD4+ T cells post-transplantation. This lowers the direct alloreactivity responsible for T-cell-mediated rejection, also known as donor-specific hyporesponsiveness. Chronic antibody-mediated rejection (c-aABMR) is the most frequent cause of kidney graft loss in the long term. However, in older adults, c-aABMR as a cause of graft loss is outnumbered by death with a functioning graft. In addition, DSA development and a diagnosis of c-aABMR plateau ~10 years after transplantation, resulting in a very low risk for rejection thereafter. The intensity of immune suppression regimes could likely be reduced accordingly, but trials in this area are scarce. Tacrolimus monotherapy for 1 year after transplantation seems feasible in older kidney transplant recipients with standard immunological risk, showing the expected benefits of fewer infections and better vaccination responses.
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Pregnancy after Kidney Transplantation-Impact of Functional Renal Reserve, Slope of eGFR before Pregnancy, and Intensity of Immunosuppression on Kidney Function and Maternal Health. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12041545. [PMID: 36836080 PMCID: PMC9964361 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12041545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Women of childbearing age show increased fertility after kidney transplantation. Of concern, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, and allograft dysfunction contribute to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. We performed a retrospective single-center study, including 40 women with post-transplant pregnancies after single or combined pancreas-kidney transplantation between 2003 and 2019. Outcomes of kidney function up to 24 months after the end of pregnancy were compared with a matched-pair cohort of 40 transplanted patients without pregnancies. With a maternal survival rate of 100%, 39 out of 46 pregnancies ended up with a live-born baby. The eGFR slopes to the end of 24 months follow-up showed mean eGFR declines in both groups (-5.4 ± 14.3 mL/min in pregnant versus -7.6 ± 14.1 mL/min in controls). We identified 18 women with adverse pregnancy events, defined as preeclampsia with severe end-organ dysfunction. An impaired hyperfiltration during pregnancy was a significant risk contributor for both adverse pregnancy events (p < 0.05) and deterioration of kidney function (p < 0.01). In addition, a declining renal allograft function in the year before pregnancy was a negative predictor of worsening allograft function after 24 months of follow-up. No increased frequency of de novo donor-specific antibodies after delivery could be detected. Overall, pregnancies in women after kidney transplantation showed good allograft and maternal outcomes.
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