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. 1991 Dec;86(3):464–470. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1991.tb02954.x

Vascular deposition of complement-split products in kidney allografts with cell-mediated rejection.

H E Feucht 1, E Felber 1, M J Gokel 1, G Hillebrand 1, U Nattermann 1, C Brockmeyer 1, E Held 1, G Riethmüller 1, W Land 1, E Albert 1
PMCID: PMC1554190  PMID: 1747954

Abstract

Complement activation in 73 renal transplant biopsies was investigated by indirect immunoperoxidase staining using MoAbs reactive with complement-split products. Intense deposition of complement fragments C4d and C3d in peritubular capillaries, indicating activation of the classical pathway, could be detected in the majority of transplanted kidneys with cell-mediated rejections. Abundant deposition of complement-split products was observed in 22 early biopsies from patients with high 'immunological risk' (i.e. previous, rejected transplants and/or circulating antibodies against HLA-antigens). Despite negative results in the crossmatch before transplantation and paucity of immunoglobulins in transplant biopsies, antibodies directed against endothelial cell antigens should be considered as a possible cause of classical complement activation.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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