Abstract
The aim of our study was to evaluate the relevance of complement-binding donor-specific antibodies (DSA) for prediction of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) after liver transplantation. Sera from 123 liver transplant recipients were retrospectively defined for HLA specificity and complement-fixing activity using the single antigen beads, C1q and C3d techniques.
Liver-recipients' sera were tested before transplantation, 3, 6 months and 1 year after transplantation. Patients were followed up for graft survival and rejection incidence for 1 year after transplantation.
All patients with pretransplant complement-binding DSA developed severe AMR after transplantation, while three recipients out of four, who produced de novo complement-fixing DSA, developed AMR. Definition of DSA with respect to complement-fixing activity may provide clinically relevant information about the risk of AMR after liver transplantation.