HLA incompatible combined liver-kidney transplantation: Dynamics of antibody modulation revealed by a novel approach to HLA antibody characterisation

This case report confirms the utility of simultaneous liver transplantation in allowing successful kidney transplantation in the face of preformed, high levels of DSA, which would under normal circumstances be associated with hyperacute rejection and kidney graft failure. Antibody characterisation in terms of epitope specificity is more accurate and informative than antibodies described as “antigen-specific” and we suggest a method for identifying and tracking these antibodies; i.e. follow the epitope reaction not the antigen reactions. We consider that this will give a better insight into the behaviour and pathogenicity of HLA-specific sera. In the case presented here this approach has revealed some novel features of the post transplant antibody response in a sensitised recipient. These illustrate three phenomena which challenge current dogmas; an early resynthesis of DSA does not necessarily cause AMR, high levels of DSA can spontaneously modulate, and measurement of antibodies in terms of antigen specificity can give misleading results.