IMMUNOLOGICAL MONITORING OF LONG-SURVIVING RENAL-TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 81  (2) , 125-131
Abstract
A variety of cell-mediated immunity responses were performed in long-term (2-12 yr) HL-A nonidentical renal transplant patients. All patients showed mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) stimulation against donor, indicating a lack of tolerance. Of successful long-term transplant patients 73% showed high serum levels of MLC-blocking activity. A consistent association of successful long-term transplantation and a specific defect in recipient ability to generate cytotoxic cells against donor was seen at the 8-12 yr level. A close association of lymphocyte-dependent activity (LDA) and clinical chronic rejection was found, and LDA could be identified prior to the onset of clinical chronic rejection in most cases. Four patients had a positive LDA assay prior to transplant and all 4 went on to develop chronic rejection. Recipients taking immunosuppressive drug within 24 h of testing had a deficient capability to generate cytotoxic effector cells against indifferent individuals. These findings demonstrate a consistent association of in vitro cell-mediated immunity parameters and in vivo transplant function and may represent a valuable immunological monitoring system for long-term recipient follow-up.

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