Transplant Flashcards
Class I Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA)
- HLA-A
- HLA-B
- HLA-C
Expressed on all cells types
ID cells as “self”
Class II Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA)
- HLA-DR
- HLA-DRw
- HLA-DQ
- HLA-DP
Expressed on APCs
Mechanisms of Hyper-Acute Rejection
-
IgM antibodies to donor HLA antigens
- blood group mismatching
-
IgG antibodies to donor HLA antigens
- Acquired from previous transfusions (especially multidonor platelets)
- Previous pregnancy
- Previous transplant
Direct vs. In-direct Antigen Presentation
Direct Antigen Presentation
Donor cell presentation of donor antigen
In-direct Antigen Presentation
Donor antigens presented by host APC
Signal 1 Pathway of T-cell Activation
Signal 1 Pathway (direct T-cell activation)
-
Direct antigen presentation by donor (passenger) APCs
- CD8+ T-cell activation
- Early CMR
-
In-direct antigen presentation by host APCs
- CD4+ T-cell activation
- Later AMR
Signal 2 Pathway of T-cell Activation
Signal 2 Pathway (T-cell Co-stimulation)
- Augmented T-cell activation via co-stimulatory receptors that recognize APC or donor cell antigens
- T-cell augmentation of B-cell activation
Cell Mediated Rejection Mechanisms
T-cell Mediated
-
Direct Effector Pathway
- Activation of CD8+ T-cells
- Cytotoxic T-cells induce apoptosis of graft cells bearing the HLA of their activating APC
-
In-direct Effector Pathway
- Activation of CD4+ T-cells
- Release of cyotkines that increase cytotoxic CD8+ T-cell mediated apoptosis
B-cell Mediated
APC activated CD4+ T-helper cells activate B-cells to produce antibodies that
- Destroy donor endothelial cells
- Induce Antibody-Dependant Cytotoxicity
- Activate the Classical Complement Pathway
ISHLT Criteria for Antibody Mediated Rejection
- Clinical evidence of donor-specific antibodies in the recipient
- Endomyocardial Bx evidence of immunopathologic complement (C4d and C3d) staining
- Endomyocardial Bx evidence of endothelial cell and macrophage activation (CD68 staining positive)
Can be assoc. with HLA or non-HLA antibodies
Usually occurs early (weeks-months)
Histologic Criteria for the Dx of AMR
- Endothelial swelling
- Activated macrophages in the graft
- Immunoglobulin (IgG or IgM) staining positive
Clinical Presentation of AMR
- Decreased LVEF (>25% reduction)
- Increased LV Mass
- Decreased R-wave Voltage
- New RBBB or LBBB
What is Desensitization Therpay and when is it Indicated?
- IVIG
- Plasmaphoresis
- Rituximab (anti-CD20)
- Cyclophosphamide
Indicated pretransplant if calculated PRA predicts <50% chance of donor match
Maintenance Immunosuppression
- Tacrolimus
- MMF
- Prednisone
Treatment of Acute AMR
- IVIG
- Rituximab (anti-CD20)
- Alemtuzumab (anti-CD52)
- Plasmaphoresis
- Thymoglobulin
- Other
- Belatacept (CTLA4-Ig)
- Bortezomib (proteozome inhibitor)
- Eculizimab (anti-C5i complement inhibitor)
Chronic Allograft Vasculopathy (CAV) and Treatment
Definition
Diffuse (epicardial and small vessel) arterial wall thickening and stenosis
- Stage O - Not significant
- Stage 1 - Mild
- Stage 2 - Severe
- Stage 3 - Severe with Graft Dysfunction
Treatment
- Sirolimus (mammalian target of rapomycin (mTOR) inhibitor)
- Statins
Outcomes
Accounts for 45% of SCD
Mortality 25% at 5-years; 50% at 10-years
Central vs. Peripheral Tolerance
Central Tolerance
Deletion of “self”-reactive T-cells in the thymus
Peripheral Tolerance
- Deletion (T-cell apoptosis)
- Anergy/Ignorance (induced functional nonresponsiveness; no co-stimulation)
- Regulation (active alloimmunity via CD4+ Tregs)
CDC Screening Assay
Recipient serum mixed with cells expressing known HLA antigens and complement
Disadvantages
- Dependent on the affinity of the antibodies present (countered by preheating serum to inactivate IgM or add humanglobluin (CDC-AHG assay) to increase sensitivity of low titer IgGs)
- Clouded by other serum proteins
- Not all antibody isotypes bind complement
- Does not determine titer
Panel Reactive Antibody (PRA) Screening Test
Recipient serum is exposed to panel of cells expressing known HLA antigents. PRA “titer” represents the percentage of the donor pool that would be killed by the patients serum.
PRA > 10% or > 25% have incrementally poorer outcomes
Poor for low titer antibodies or MCH class II antibodies
Risk Factors for High PRA
- Pregnancy (multiparity)
- Multiple Blood Product Transfusions
- MCS
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Previous Transplant
Solid Phase Flow Cytometry (SPA)
Reactivity to HLA antigens characterized by mean fluorescence intensity
Advantages
- Provides titer
- Provides individual donor-recipient compatibility
Virtual Crossmatch
Comparison of donor HLA genotype and recipient SPA antibodies
PPV 80%
True cross-match confirmed by CDC-AHG assay
Glucocorticoids
MOA
Inhibition of intracellular NF-kB
- decreases proinflammatory Th1 cytokines
- increases antinflammatory Th2 IL-10
Purine Analogs
MOA
Incorporates into DNA/RNA disrupting cell cycling
Azathioprine (Imuran)
SE - bone marrow susppression
Mycophenolate Mofetil (mmF/Cellcept)
More specific to immune cells types
SE - GI upset
Calcineurin Inhibitors
MOA
Inhibits caclineurin binding of calmodulin which activates TCRs and NFAT induced proinflammatory gene activation
Cyclosporin A
Tacrolimus (FK506)
SE - renal dysfunction, DMII, DLP, cholestasis, neuologic, non-Hodgkins lymphoma
mTOR Inhibitors
MOA
Inhibit serine/threonine protein kinase inhibiting immune cell activation and proliferation and VEGF production
Sirolimus (Rapamycin)
Everolimus
SE - impaired wound healing, cancer
Can be used to lower the dose/SE of calcineurin inhibitors
Monoclonal Antibodies
Basiliximab (Simulect; anti-CD25)
Rituximab (anti-CD20)
B-cell depletion
Desensitization and treatment of AMR
Bortezomib (Velcade; anti-CD265 proteosome)
Treats persistant AMR
Alemtuzumab (Campath; anti-CD52)
Treats Acute Rejection
Belatacept (Nulojix; CTLA4-Ig protetypic immunoglobulin fusion protein)
Inhibits Signal 2 Pathway (co-stimulation)
Polyclonal Antibodies
Antithymocyte Globulin (RATG or ATGAM)
SE - Increased PTLD and CMV
IVIG (pooled human IgG)
Desensitization and treatment of Acute AMR
What does UNOS stand for?
United Network of Organ Sharing
Etiologies of ESHF prompting heart transplant
- Ischemic - 90%
- Valvular - 2%
- Adult Congenital - 2%
- Retransplant - 2%