Transfer of donor anti-HLA antibody expression to multiple transplant recipients- a potential variant of the Passenger Lymphocyte Syndrome?

Abstract

Antibody mediated rejection (AMR), whereby transplant recipient B cells and/or plasma cells produce allo-reactive anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies, negatively influences transplant outcomes and is a major contributor to graft loss. An early humoral immune response is suggested by the production of anti-HLA donor-specific antibodies (DSA) that can be measured using solid phase assays. We report the early post-transplant co-existence of a shared anti-HLA antibody profile in five solid organ transplant recipients who received organs from the same donor. Retrospective analysis of the donor's serum confirmed the presence of the same anti-HLA profile, suggesting the transfer of donor-derived anti-HLA antibodies, or the cells that produce them, to multiple solid organ transplant recipients. The time frame and extent of transfer suggest a novel variant of the Passenger Lymphocyte Syndrome. These findings have important implications for the consideration of all post-transplant antibody measurements, particularly the interpretation of non-DSAs in the sera of transplant recipients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.