Immunology for Renal Transplantation: A Review

Abstract

The current success of renal transplantation (RT) is the result of advancement in the understanding of the transplant immunology from gross allograft rejection to cellular and antibody response to the current molecular level. Laboratory assay technologies have been developed to characterise patient sensitisation and to detect pre-existing donor-specific antibodies (DSA) in pre-transplant crossmatch, which has helped prevent premature transplant losses from early and late antibody-mediated rejection. After a RT, pre-existing or de novo DSA are routinely monitored for modulation of immunosuppressive regimens. Therefore, it is mandatory for the personnel involved in the management of RT recipients to have clear understanding of the components of transplantation immunology and be familiar with the modern immunological techniques used in RT.