Update on Alloantibodies in Solid Organ Transplantation

Abstract

In the last few years, there have been studies published on serial testing and longitudinal analysis of anti-human leukocyte antigen (anti-HLA) antibodies. The focus of these studies was to determine specific characteristics of the impact of donor specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA) in organ transplant dysfunction. These publications have led to an increasing concern about DSA and a growing effort to better understand DSA and to develop treatment for patients with DSA. In 2014, several reports were published that either confirm or expand upon both the understanding of the humoral theory and the clinical applications of DSA testing. This review delves into these publications and reports how their findings fit into the humoral theory of transplant.