PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Complement C4b”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 595 records · Page 33Linked to original sources

Capillary deposition of the complement fragment C4d in cardiac allograft biopsies is associated with allograft vasculopathy.

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a long-term threat in heart transplant recipients and its exact pathogenesis remains to be established. As complement activation contributes to early and late allograft dysfunction, we hypothesized that deposition of the complement fragment, C4d, in capillaries of cardiac allograft biopsies may be associated with CAV. A polyclonal anti-C4d antibody was used for immunohistochemistry on endomyocardial biopsies obtained from heart transplant recipients during the first year post-transplantation. CAV was assessed by intracoronary ultrasound performed at 1-year post-transplantation. We were able to show that CAV is highly associated with C4d deposition in capillaries of cardiac allografts and that serial C4d studies may predict development of CAV at 1-year post-transplantation.

Biopsy↗

Prevalence and significance of anti-HLA and donor-specific antibodies long-term after renal transplantation.

Post-transplant circulating anti-human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-antibodies and C4d in allograft biopsies may be important in chronic rejection in renal transplant recipients (RTR). We determined the prevalence and significance of anti-HLA-antibodies and donor-specific antibodies (DSA). Sera were collected from 251 RTR >6 months post-transplant. Sera were tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) screening for anti-HLA antibodies. Positive sera were retested with ELISA-specific panel for antibody specificity. A 11.2% of patients had anti-HLA antibodies and 4.4% had DSA. Anti-HLA antibodies were significantly associated with pretransplant sensitization, acute rejection and in multivariate analysis, higher serum creatinine (2.15 +/- 0.98 vs. 1.57 +/- 0.69 mg/dl in negative anti-HLA antibodies group). Allograft biopsies performed in a subset of patients with anti-HLA antibodies revealed that 66% had C4d in peritubular capillaries (0% in patients without antibodies). Anti-HLA antibodies were associated with a worse allograft function and in situ evidence of anti-donor humoral alloreactivity. Long-term RTR with an increase in creatinine could be screened for anti-HLA antibodies and C4d in biopsy.

Adolescent↗

Role of CXCR3 in cellular but not humoral renal allograft rejection.

CXCR3, a chemokine receptor mainly expressed by T cells, is involved in animal transplant models and in human allograft rejection. CXCR3 expression was localized in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded renal allograft biopsies without signs of rejection (C4d-negative, Banff 0, n = 16), with C4d deposits as a sign of humoral rejection (C4d-positive, Banff 0, n = 8), with cellular rejection (C4d-negative, Banff I, n = 7) and with signs of both cellular and humoral rejection (C4d-positive, Banff 1, n = 5). Small, round infiltrating cells were CXCR3-positive. A high number of these cells was present in biopsies with cellular rejection (independent of C4d deposition). CXCR3-positive cells diffusely infiltrated the interstitium, including the tubular epithelium (tubulitis). CXCR3 scores and the area of CXCR3 staining were significantly higher in cellular rejection, when compared to biopsies without rejection, and with deposition of C4d alone. CXCR3-positive cells infiltrate renal allografts during cellular rejection, whereas C4d deposition is not associated with the recruitment of these cells.

Complement C4b↗

C4d peritubular capillary staining in chronic allograft nephropathy and transplant glomerulopathy: an uncommon finding.

The true incidence of positive C4d staining in the peritubular capillaries of biopsies with chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) and transplant glomerulopathy (TGP) remains controversial. We retrospectively reviewed all transplant biopsies performed at Saint Louis University Hospital between June 2002 and May 2004. We examined the incidence of positive C4d staining in the peritubular capillaries of biopsy specimens with pure CAN with or without features of TGP. We identified 54 biopsies in 43 patients showing CAN. The average age was 46 +/- 13 years. The average creatinine at the time of biopsy was 308 +/- 211 micromol/l (3.5 +/- 2.4 mg/dl). Twenty (37%) biopsies exhibited features consistent with TGP. Only two biopsies had positive C4d staining in the peritubular capillaries. The C4d positive biopsies were from two different patients; one patient had donor specific antibodies (DSA) against HLA class 1 at the time of biopsy and the other patient had no detectable DSA. None of the TGP biopsies showed peritubular C4d staining. C4d staining of the peritubular capillaries appears to be rare in patients with pure CAN with and without TGP features.

Adult↗

An immunogenetic study of juvenile chronic arthritis.

Ninety-seven patients from Western Australia and Victoria suffering from juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) for longer than 1 year were studied with particular reference to immunogenetic markers in the sub-groups of the disease. In the pauci-articular group, the antigens DR5, DR8 and BW35 were increased in frequency. The phenotypes within the sub-groups appeared distinctive despite the absence of any increase in the frequency of single antigens. Complement allotyping did not prove to be different from controls or within the sub-groups for JCA. This study supports the concept that patients with JCA have specific genetic characteristics and that sub-groups of the disease are genetically distinct.

Arthritis, Juvenile↗

Immunologic risk factors and glomerular C4d deposits in chronic transplant glomerulopathy.

BACKGROUND: Chronic transplant glomerulopathy is an uncommon cause of chronic transplant dysfunction of unknown pathogenesis. We evaluated the epidemiologic, clinical, and histologic features of chronic transplant glomerulopathy. To determine the possible contribution of humoral immune responses, we assessed glomerular deposition of C4d. METHODS: From a cohort of 1111 kidney transplants (1983 to 2001) with at least 6 months of graft function, we identified 18 cases with chronic transplant glomerulopathy (1.6%) showing double contours of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) on light microscopy. To assess the risk factors, this group was compared with 739 patients with stable function using multivariate Cox regression analysis. Paraffin sections of 11/18 biopsies were stained with polyclonal C4d antibodies. Sera of 13/18 patients could be tested for antidonor human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Patients with chronic allograft nephropathy without chronic transplant glomerulopathy or predominant cyclosporine nephrotoxicity were used as controls. RESULTS: Chronic transplant glomerulopathy was diagnosed at a median of 8.3 (range 2.6-12.5) years posttransplantation. Panel reactive antibodies at time of transplantation, RR 1.23 (1.05-1.45) per 10% increase, and late acute rejection episodes, RR 7.6 (1.8-31.7), were independently associated with chronic transplant glomerulopathy. We found glomerular C4d deposits in 10/11 biopsies showing chronic transplant glomerulopathy and in only 2/13 controls. Peritubular capillary C4d deposits and donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies were demonstrated in 4 and 3 of the 10 patients with glomerular C4d deposits, respectively. CONCLUSION: Presensitization and late acute rejection episodes were the risk factors identified. Glomerular C4d deposits suggest that chronic transplant glomerulopathy emerges from in situ humoral rejection. Chronic transplant glomerulopathy should be considered as a manifestation of immune-mediated injury.

Adult↗

Glomerular monocytes predict worse outcomes after acute renal allograft rejection independent of C4d status.

BACKGROUND: Both peritubular capillary (PTC) C4d deposition and macrophage/monocyte (MO) infiltration in acute rejection (AR) have separately been shown to be associated with reduced graft survival and recently were demonstrated to be closely correlated in AR. Whether MO infiltration is an independent predictor of graft outcome is uncertain. METHODS: All patients with biopsy-proven AR (over a 3-year period) were included (N= 96). All biopsies (N= 121) were graded according to the Banff 97 criteria and immunohistochemically stained for C4d and MO (CD68). The primary outcome was glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <30 mL/min 1-year posttransplant as estimated by the Modified Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Formula. Secondary outcomes at 2 and 4 years' posttransplant were also explored. A variety of clinical and biopsy variables were statistically analyzed to establish univariate predictors of graft outcome. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression modeling was applied to determine independent predictors of outcomes. RESULTS: There was a close correlation between PTC C4d and glomerular MO infiltration (P < 0.001). Univariate predictors of primary outcome (GFR <30 mL/min 1-year posttransplant) included mean glomerular MO count > or =1.0 MO/glomerulus (P= 0.014), female sex (P= 0.02), higher peak (P= 0.005), and pretransplant (P= 0.003) panel-reactive antibody levels, cadaveric donor (P= 0.006), transplant glomerulitis (P= 0.004), and longer cold ischemic time (CIT) (P= 0.002). Mean MO/glomerulus > or =1.0 [OR 10.3 (1.23, 87.1)], female sex [OR 5.27(1.31, 21.1)], and CIT [OR 1.14 (1.06, 1.25)] were identified as independent predictors of adverse graft outcome. Furthermore, mean MO/glomerulus > or =1.0 independently predicted poor renal function at 2 years [OR 3.89 (1.19, 12.70)] and 4 years [OR 4.03 (1.22, 13.28)] posttransplant. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that glomerular MO infiltration is an independent predictor of worse outcomes posttransplant following acute renal allograft rejection.

Acute Disease↗

Sclerosis multiplex in gypsies.

MS rarely occurs in gypsies in Hungary despite the high DR2 frequency. When it does occur, it has special features more resembling that of Asians than Central Europeans. In order to find correlation between the clinical observations and the immunogenetical data, the distribution of DQw1 subtypes was investigated by means of Eco RV - DQ beta RFLP in DR2 positive healthy gypsies and Hungarians, as well asin DR2-positive Hungarian and unselected gypsy MS patients. DQw6 correlated with MS susceptibility in Hungarians. This allotype was completely absent in healthy DR2-positive gypsies. DR2-positive gypsy MS patients, however, carried DQw6. No correlation of complement allotypes with the occurrence of MS was found in Hungarians, while a striking elevation of C4 Q0 occurred in gypsy MS patients compared with healthy individuals in the gypsy group. The absence of the DR2, DW2, DQw6 haplotype, and the frequency of C4A Q0 in healthy gypsies seems to be associated with the low MS prevalence, but genes outside this region might also influence the MS susceptibility.

Alleles↗

Prolonged hypothermia causes primary nonfunction in preserved canine renal allografts due to humoral rejection.

Canine kidney preservation models have historically used autotransplants to avoid the complications of rejection, although clinically all transplants are allografts. This study investigated the effects of preservation time and method on early kidney function in a canine allograft vs. autograft model. Kidneys were harvested from beagles, preserved by cold storage (CS) in UW solution for 0, 24 or 72 h, or by machine perfusion (MP) with Belzer MPS for 72 h. In some experiments 45 min of warm ischemia (WI) was performed in situ before harvest. Allograft recipients received steroid immunosuppression. Kidney function was assessed by serum creatinine and survival for 7 days. Allografts preserved for 0 and 24 h performed as well as autografts. Allografts preserved for 72 h by either CS or MP had a higher incidence of primary nonfunction (PNF) compared with autografts, as determined by survival (50% vs. 100%, p < 0.003). Primary nonfunction kidneys had thrombotic microangiopathy, vascular and peritubular capillary binding of IgM and complement C4d, and evidence of circulating donor-specific antibodies; all consistent with humoral rejection. These responses were dependent on hypothermia time and were not attributable to ischemia, immunosuppression, preservation solution, or cellular rejection. In conclusion, prolonged hypothermia can cause PNF in allografts owing to acute humoral rejection.

Adenosine↗

Acute humoral rejection of human lung allografts and elevation of C4d in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

Antibody-mediated rejection is well established for renal allografts but remains controversial for lung allografts. Cardinal features of antibody-mediated rejection in renal allografts include antibodies to donor human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and evidence for antibody action, such as complement activation demonstrated by C4d deposition. We report a lung allograft recipient with circulating antibodies to donor HLA who failed treatment for acute cellular rejection but responded to therapy for humoral rejection. To address the second criteria for antibody-mediated rejection, we determined whether complement activation could be detected by measuring C4d in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by ELISA. Airway allergen challenge of asthmatics activates the complement pathway; therefore, we used BALF from asthmatics pre- and post-allergen challenge to measure C4d. These controls demonstrated that ELISA could detect increases in C4d after allergen challenge. BALF from the index patient had elevated C4d concomitant with graft dysfunction and anti-donor HLA in the absence of infection. Analysis of BALF from 25 additional lung allograft recipients showed that C4d concentrations >100 ng/mL were correlated with anti-HLA antibodies (p = 0.006), but were also observed with infection and in asyptomatic patients. The findings support the occurrence of anti-HLA-mediated lung allograft rejection and suggest that C4d measurement in BALF may be useful in diagnosis.

Antibodies↗

Banff 2003 meeting report: new diagnostic insights and standards.

The Seventh Banff Conference on Allograft Pathology was held June 14-18, 2003 in Aberdeen, Scotland representing the latest iteration of the international consensus meeting, which develops worldwide standards for interpretation of allograft biopsies. The meeting is an important force behind standardized slide interpretation to strengthen endpoints in international clinical trials. Of participants polled 87% reported that they would alter clinical practice as a direct consequence of the meeting and its content. Advances were made in many areas including tubulitis mechanisms, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) gene analysis and microarrays in rejection diagnosis, tolerance/accommodation/immunomodulation, the role of monocytes and macrophages in rejection and C4d as a marker for antibody-mediated rejection. A provisional scoring system for peritubular capillary inflammatory cell accumulation in antibody-mediated rejection was presented for testing, as well as plans for a nephrectomy study to determine specificity of vascular lesions of rejection. Future meetings are planned for 2005 (Edmonton), 2007 and 2009, with active ongoing Internet discussion between meetings.

Complement C4b↗

Incidence of C4d stain in protocol biopsies from renal allografts: results from a multicenter trial.

C4d staining of renal allografts is regarded as an in situ marker of active humoral rejection. Few data are available about the incidence of C4d deposition in protocol biopsies compared to indication biopsies. To evaluate whether center-specific factors influence the incidence of C4d detection, we performed a multicenter study. From three European centers, 551 protocol and 377 indication biopsies were reclassified according to the updated Banff criteria and stained for C4d. C4d results were recorded as diffuse or focal positive and statistically correlated to clinical parameters, morphology and graft survival. In the protocol biopsies, a diffuse C4d stain was found in 2.0%, and a focal stain in 2.4%. In indication biopsies, 12.2% were diffusely and 8.5% focally C4d positive (protocol:indication p < 0.0001). The incidence of C4d deposition varied significantly between centers, attributable to variable numbers of presensitized patients with more C4d positive indication and protocol biopsies. Diffuse and focal C4d stain correlated with morphology of humoral rejection in protocol as well as in indication biopsies. Protocol biopsies show a significantly lower incidence of C4d deposition than indication biopsies. Subclinical C4d detection in protocol biopsies had no significant impact on allograft survival in our series.

Biopsy↗

High pre-transplant soluble CD30 levels are predictive of the grade of rejection.

In renal transplantation, serum soluble CD30 (sCD30) levels in graft recipients are associated with increased rejection and graft loss. We investigated whether pre-transplant sCD30 concentrations are predictive of the grade of rejection. Pre-transplant sera of 51 patients with tubulointerstitial rejection (TIR), 16 patients with vascular rejection (VR) and an age-matched control group of 41 patients with no rejection (NR) were analyzed for sCD30. The transplant biopsies were immunostained for C4d. The median sCD30 level was significantly elevated in the group with VR (248 Units (U)/mL, range: 92-802) when compared with TIR (103 U/mL, range: 36-309, p<0.001) and NR (179 U/mL, range: 70-343, p<0.03). Moreover, patients with TIR had significantly lower sCD30 levels compared to NR. Based on C4d staining, a TH2 driven process, the median sCD30 levels were significantly raised in C4d+ patients compared with C4d- group (177 U/mL vs. 120 U/mL, p<0.05). sCD30 levels measured at time of transplantation correlate with the grade of rejection. High pre-transplant levels are associated with antibody-mediated rejection which carries a poorer prognosis. sCD30 could be another tool to assess immunological risk prior to transplantation and enable a patient centered approach to immunosuppression.

Adult↗

Association of CD20+ infiltrates with poorer clinical outcomes in acute cellular rejection of renal allografts.

We undertook a study to ascertain the relationship between the presence of CD20-positive B-lymphocytes in renal allografts undergoing acute cellular rejection and graft survival. We identified 27 patients transplanted between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2001, with biopsy-proven Banff 1-A or Banff 1-B rejection in the first year after transplantation, and stained the specimens for CD20 and C4d. At least 4 years of follow-up data were available for each patient studied. Six patients had CD20-positive B-cell clusters in the interstitium, and 21 patients were negative for CD20 infiltrates. The CD20-positive group was significantly more likely to have steroid-resistant rejection and reduced graft survival compared to CD20-negative controls. This study supports prospective identification of CD20-positive B-cell clusters in biopsy-proven rejection and offers a therapeutic rationale for a trial of monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody in such patients.

Adult↗

Humoral immunity to vimentin is associated with cardiac allograft injury in nonhuman primates.

Immunity to autologous protein has not previously been described following nonhuman primate cardiac transplant. Native hearts and cardiac allografts from cynomolgus monkeys were assessed by immunohistology for vimentin, a highly conserved intermediate filament protein. IgM and IgG to vimentin were measured in serial sera from untreated (n = 4) or cyclosporine (CsA)-treated (n = 8, 2 with ATG) cardiac allograft recipients, and in groups treated with anti-CD154 antibody with (n = 6) or without ATG (n = 28). IgM or IgG reactive with vimentin was elaborated within 30 days with unmodified acute rejection (3/4) or in CsA-treated animals (5/6). CD154 blockade did not prevent anti-vimentin IgM (14/28) but tended to delay the IgG response during therapy (anti-CD154: 8/28, p = 0.10 vs. CsA; anti-CD154+ATG: 2/6). CAV and alloantibody were seen in 25 of 26 animals with grafts surviving over 30 days, including seven animals without increasing anti-vimentin antibody. Anti-vimentin antibodies and vascular complement deposition were found in rejected hearts. Acute and chronic alloimmunity disrupt modulation of autoreactivity to vimentin through pathways, which are resistant to CsA, but may be partially regulated by CD154.

Animals↗

Humoral heart rejection (severe allograft dysfunction with no signs of cellular rejection or ischemia): incidence, management, and the value of C4d for diagnosis.

Severe allograft dysfunction after heart transplant (HT), without ischemia or evidence of cellular rejection upon endomyocardial biopsy (EMB), is a rare but potentially fatal condition that suggests humoral rejection (HR). Its incidence, and the methods of choice for its diagnosis and management, remain uncertain. We retrospectively studied 445 HT patients (April 1991-December 2003) to determine incidence of HR diagnosed by clinical and conventional histopathological criteria. We used immunofluorescence (IF) techniques to test archived frozen EMB issue for IgM, IgG, C1q, C3, fibrin and C4d. Twelve patients (2.7%) fulfilled the criteria for HR after a mean time post-HT of 21.3 +/- 24.7 months (range: 2-72 months). Patients were treated with high doses of steroids and plasmapheresis, with successful recovery in 11 cases. IF studies using classical markers were mainly negative for the six patients with enough EMB tissue for testing. All six patients showed positivity for C4d during the HR episode but not before or after. Humoral rejection was observed in less than 3% of HT patients. Plasmapheresis treatment was highly effective. Classical IF tests were not useful for diagnosis, but C4d appears to be useful both for confirmation of diagnosis and for monitoring response to treatment.

Adult↗

Ultra-late antibody-mediated rejection 30 years after a living-related renal allograft.

Antibody-mediated renal allograft rejection has become increasingly recognized and more clearly defined through the use of flow cytometry cross-matching and the deposition of C4d in renal allograft biopsies. All of the cases reported thus far have developed an antibody within 10 years of transplantation, and many lacked HLA and/or donor specificity. The present patient developed an anti-HLA donor-specific antibody between the 22nd and 30th year after a living-related renal transplant. At the 30th year post-transplantation, she experienced a rise in the serum creatinine from 0.7 to 1.9 mg/dL associated with transplant biopsy C4d deposition in peritubular capillaries and glomeruli. After the replacement of azathioprine with mycophenolate mofetil, and six apheresis treatments followed by two infusions of IVIG, the renal function stabilized at 1.9 mg/dL, 33 years after transplantation. Antibody-mediated rejection must be considered as a possible cause or renal allograft dysfunction at all time periods after transplantation.

Adolescent↗