In recent years, antibody-mediated rejection has become a major cause of graft dysfunction.
In humoral immunity, follicular T helper cells play an important role in the germinal center where they help initial B cells differentiate into what are called memory B cells and antibody-secreting plasma cells. In this way, they assist in the production of donor-specific antibodies, which are the direct cause of antibody-mediated rejection of kidney transplants.
Our study on follicular T helper cells in the kidney transplantation center of Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University showed that the number and proportion of follicular T helper cells were increased when rejection occurred, it is directly related to the activation of B cells and the secretion of antibodies. However, if rejection is intervened, the opposite result will appear, which also confirms the important role of follicular T helper cells in rejection.
Recent articles published in Frontiers in immunology have summarized and prospected the application of follicular T helper cells in renal transplantation. Follicular T helper cells express several important targets, such as IL6R, IL21R, CD40L, pdー1, etc. .
The effects of some novel immunosuppressants targeting these targets on antibody-mediated rejection in kidney transplantation are being investigated, such as belazepril, which we described earlier, and the role of anti-inflammatory agents in the treatment of renal transplant rejection, and a number of experimental drugs that have not yet entered clinical use. It is believed that the research results of these drugs can provide a breakthrough in the treatment of antibody-mediated rejection.
Text, editing | Zhu Dong, photography | Greg
This article is an original article of”Kidney Transplantation, sun yat-sen hospital, Fudan University”. It is reproduced with the author’s permission and marked with the source. You can start by following the public wechat account of“Kidney Transplantation at sun yat-sen hospital affiliated to Fudan University.” You can also click on [ read the original article ] to view other articles in this issue.
