Elevated pretransplantation soluble BAFF is associated with an increased risk of acute antibody-mediated rejection
G Banham, D Prezzi, S Harford, CJ Taylor… - …, 2013 - journals.lww.com
Transplantation, 2013•journals.lww.com
Background B cells play an important role in renal allograft pathology, particularly in acute
and chronic antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). B-cell activating factor belonging to the
tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF; also known as BLyS) is a cytokine that enhances B-cell
survival and proliferation. Methods We analyzed serum BAFF levels in 32 patients
undergoing antibody-incompatible (Ai) renal transplantation and 319 antibody-compatible
transplant recipients and sought to determine whether there was a correlation with acute …
and chronic antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). B-cell activating factor belonging to the
tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF; also known as BLyS) is a cytokine that enhances B-cell
survival and proliferation. Methods We analyzed serum BAFF levels in 32 patients
undergoing antibody-incompatible (Ai) renal transplantation and 319 antibody-compatible
transplant recipients and sought to determine whether there was a correlation with acute …
Abstract
Background
B cells play an important role in renal allograft pathology, particularly in acute and chronic antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). B-cell activating factor belonging to the tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF; also known as BLyS) is a cytokine that enhances B-cell survival and proliferation.
Methods
We analyzed serum BAFF levels in 32 patients undergoing antibody-incompatible (Ai) renal transplantation and 319 antibody-compatible transplant recipients and sought to determine whether there was a correlation with acute rejection and with transplant function and survival.
Results
We demonstrate that, in patients undergoing Ai transplantation, elevated serum BAFF levels at baseline (before both antibody removal/desensitization and transplantation) are associated with an increased risk of subsequent AMR. In antibody-compatible transplant recipients at lower risk of AMR, no statistically significant association was observed between pretransplantation serum BAFF and AMR.
Conclusions
These data raise the possibility that, in high immunologic risk patients undergoing Ai transplantation, the presence of elevated pretransplantation serum BAFF might identify those at increased risk of AMR. BAFF neutralization may be an interesting therapeutic strategy to explore in these patients, particularly because such agents are available and have already been used in the treatment of autoimmunity.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins