Humoral antibodies in organ transplantation: angels or demons?

摘要

Hidalgo et al. (1) found that the development of de novo donor-specific antibodies was associated both with specific histological lesions in kidney transplant biopsies done late in the posttransplant course and a poor prognosis. These authors suggested that a careful assessment of de novo donor-specific antibodies should be performed in connection with all late kidney transplant biopsies. Studies aimed to investigate the role of donor-specific antibodies in organ transplantation are welcome as they may help to better understand the pathogenesis of chronic humoral rejection. However, one wonders whether such a costly monitoring of donor-specific antibodies will have a beneficial impact in clinical practice.