Humoral antibodies in renal allotransplantation in man

Abstract Humoral antibodies specific for histocompatibility antigens were detected in the majority of renal-allograft recipients tested. In all 10 patients in whom antibody reactive with donor antigens was present at the time of transplantation, very early acute rejection episodes resulted in total or widespread destruction of the transplanted kidneys. Twelve of 16 patients who formed antibodies in response to their grafts had poor clinical courses leading to rejection or poor renal function, whereas only two of 12 in whom responses to the grafts were not detected had unfavorable outcomes. A very high correlation was found between the occurrence of antibodies reactive with graft antigens and histologic evidence of vascular lesions, particularly those of an obliterative nature.