Editorial
Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Co.
World J Transplant. Mar 24, 2014; 4(1): 1-17
Published online Mar 24, 2014. doi: 10.5500/wjt.v4.i1.1
Table 1 Technological advantages and limitations of luminex human leukocyte antigens single antigen bead
Technological advantagesTechnological limitations
Qualitative: enables precise identification of all antibody specificities in complex sera (DSA)Some positive results can be caused by antibodies to denatured HLA
Comprehensive: distinguishes antibodies to all common alleles for HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DRB1, HLA-DRB3/4/5, HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1, HLA-DPA1, HLA-DPB1Occasional high background binding requiring repeat testing and absorption protocols
Semiquantitative: enables determination of antibody levels (high, intermediate, and low)Variable HLA protein density on beads. Blocking factors may cause false-negative or misleading low assessment of antibody levels (prozone?); IgM and C1 can block IgG binding
Sensitive: enables detection of weak antibody testing
Rapid: enables real-time antibody monitoring for DSA. Pre- transplantation and post-transplantation antibody monitoring (assist diagnosis of ABMR). Virtual XMLot-to-lot variation requiring validation. Vendor-specific variation
Enables detection of non-HLA-specific antibodies (e.g., MICA)
Detection and differentiation between immunoglobulin class and isotype (e.g., complement fixing and non-complement fixing C4d and C1qReagents not standardized
Table 2 Anti-antibodies main drugs to date in use and mechanism of action
StepsCells or mechanisms involvedDrugsMechanism of action
Exposure to antigenB CellsRituximab ivigBinds CD20 on B cells and mediates cell lysis Multiple B cell apoptosis, decrease in B-cell proliferation
Secretion of alloantibodiesPlasma cells; antibodiesBortezomibDecrease donor-specific alloantibody production Mechanical removal of alloantibodies
Plasma- exchange ivigMultiple B cell apoptosis, decrease in B-cell proliferation
Binding of antibodies to the graftComplement activationEculizumabBlocks cleavage of terminal complement C5 and halts the process of complement-mediated cell destruction