HLA TYPING, CROSSMATCHING AND TRANSPLANTATION IN SENSITIZED PATIENTS DM Seminar Dr. Vishal Golay 10/8/2011 MHC Class I molecule with bound peptide
Dec 14, 2014
HLA TYPING, CROSSMATCHING AND TRANSPLANTATION IN SENSITIZED PATIENTS
DM SeminarDr. Vishal Golay
10/8/2011
MHC Class I molecule with bound peptide
First cadaveric kidney transplantation-1950 (graft failed after 10 months).
First living donor kidney transplantation was performed on December 23rd 1954 in Boston, US by Dr. Joseph Murray between the identical Herrick twins. He received a Nobel prize in 1990 for this work.
TOPIC OVERVIEW
Basic concepts about the MHC.
Methods of HLA typing.
Cross matching and detecting sensitization.
Transplantation in sensitized patients.
MHC and HLA TYPING
THE HUMAN MHC
Located on chromosome 6p21.31 Divided in three regions: Class I, II & III
Classic genesClassic genes
Non-classic genes: E,F,GMICA, MICBPseudogenes
Non-classic genes: DM, DOPseudogenes
HSP
HLA CLASS I AND CLASS II ANTIGENS
• Monomer with non-covalently associated subunit (b2m)
• Presents antigenic peptides to CD8+ T cells
• Expressed by most somatic cells
• Level of expression varies between tissues
• High expression on lymphocytes, inducible on somatic cells
• Heterodimer
• Presents antigenic peptides to CD4+ T cells
• Restricted expression on antigen presenting cells (B cells, monocytes/ macrophages, dendritic cells)
• Inducible on other cells (epithelium, endothelium)
STRUCTURE OF MHC MOLECULE
Peptide binding clefts
MHC Class IBinds to 9-11 amino acids
MHC Class IIBinds to 13-30 amino acids
ALLOANTIGEN PRESENTATION BY MHC Direct Antigen Presentation: Donor APC + TCR of Recipient T
cell Donor MHC
Indirect Antigen Presentation: Recipient APC + TCR of Recipient T
cell Processed Donor MHC
Indirect pathway generally activates CD4 T cells. Acute rejection of allograft is primarily dependent on direct
allorecognition
HLA NOMENCLATURE
In case of renal transplantation, if only HLA-A, B & DR are taken, there are 88 recognized antigens encoded by >2200 distinct alleles.
The genes are prefixed by the letter HLA followed by the loci.
HLA typing can be done by two methods: Serological typing DNA typing
SEROLOGICAL HLA TYPING
Developed by Terasaki and McClelland in 1964
Based on the detection of expressed HLA molecules on the surface of separated T cells (HLA class I) and B cells (HLA class II) using panels of antisera, usually obtained from multiparous women in a complement dependent cytotoxicity test.
Requires sufficient live lymphocytes and panel of sera
HLA antigen identified by serological methods were named in the order in which they were recognized. Eg: A1, A2, A3 and so on
DNA BASED HLA TYPING
The nomenclature has been modified by trying to associate alleles to antigens wherever possible, after DNA based tests became available.
A four digit designation was developed. The antigen makes up the first two digits, and the allele make up the remaining two.
For example: HLA-A*0101 Allele number
Test performed by DNA method Serologic antigen
HLA NOMENCLATURE
In case of the HLA-DR antigen, they are distinguished by their β1 subunit. Therefore, the 1st allele of DR1 will be HLA-DRB1*0101
The most common HLA antigen is A2 (50% of world population) with allelic variations. HLA-B 54 is almost exclusively found in Japan and neighboring areas and HLA-A36 is common in blacks.
BMT requires allele level matching to prevent development of GVHD. However, allele level mismatches have no substantial effect on renal graft survival rates.
DNA BASED HLA TYPING METHODS PCR-Sequence Specific Probes(SSP):
DNA amplification using group specific primers and detecting the amplified product by gel electrophoresis.
Cumbersome and unsuited for typing large number of samples.
PCR-Sequence Specific Oligonucleotide Probes (SSOP): Amplification using group/allele specific primers and then
detecting the hybridization of oligo probes with enzymatic or fluorescent markers.
Useful for typing samples in batches
Sequence Based typing: Uses gene-specific primers and so is used for allelic level
typing for SCT and also to type new alleles
ADVANTAGES OF THE DNA BASED TESTS Greater accuracy and reproducibility of the reagents.
Viable lymphocytes are not required and typing can be performed on any tissue.
The oligonucleotide reagents are more easily standardized and controlled.
Greater accuracy of the test.
Difficult HLA specificities against whom antisera is not available can also be identified using DNA based tests.
INTERPRETATION OF AN HLA TYPING REPORT
Haplotypes are combination of alleles in different loci that are inherited together. Occasionally (in 2% cases) crossover occurs between the A and B locus resulting in a new haplotype.
Mother Father A B DR A B DR 1 8 17 3 13 11 2 44 4 29 44 7
Sibling 1 Sibling 2 Sibling3 Sibling4A B DR A B DR A B DR A B
DR2 44 4 2 44 4 1 8 17 1 8
173 13 11 29 44 7 3 13 11 29 44
7
Mendelian inheritence25%-two haplotype match25%-one haplotype match25%-zero haplotype match
INTERPRETATION OF AN HLA TYPING REPORT
Example: HLA phenotypeIndividual 1 → A1,A24; B8, B44; DR4, DR15Individual 2 → A1, A3; B7, B8; DR4, DR12
Common Alleles: A1, B8, DR4
If the two individuals are related(siblings, parent-child), these three shared alleles is most probably the common shared haplotype and thus this should be interpreted as: “ONE HAPLOTYPE MATCH”
If they are unrelated then there are three shared alleles. This should then be interpreted as : “THREE ANTIGEN MATCH or THREE NATIGEN MISMATCH”
PRACTICAL ISSUES IN HLA TYPING
Incomplete HLA specificity;
Example: 1. A2, ---; B27, B13; DR17, DR4 2. A2, A3; B8, B14; DR17, ----
In particular situation, This commonly means that the individual is homozygous in
the A and DR loci. If 1 is donor for 2, this should be described as zero A, two B
and one DR mismatch. If 2 is donor for 1, this should be described as one A, two B
and zero DR mismatch.
A2
DR 17
HLA AND TRANSPLANTATION
HLA matched kidneys with longer cold ischemia time fared better than HLA mismatched with lesser ischemia time.
However, it was found that HLA matched kidneys from an ECD fared poorly compared to unmatched standard criteria donor putting the issue of achieving an identical match in doubt.
It was also found that unmatched living kidneys had longer graft survival than a fully matched cadaveric kidney.
The survival of grafts from an unrelated donor was comparable to grafts from a one-haplotype matched sibling/parent to child (64% at 10 years).
Please refer to figure in Danovitch
ANTI HLA ANTIBODIES
Antibody detection tests encompasses two broad categories
1. Tests that detect the level of circulating Anti-HLA antibodies ie. detecting sensitization.
2. Test that cross-match between the donor and the recipient.
CDC-BASED ASSAYS
Lymphocytes (T cells, usually)
Patient serum
+ rabbit complement
Red = deadGreen = alive
LIMITED SENSITIVITY NIH extended CDC:
ENHANCED CDC-BASED ASSAYS
Enhance with anti-human
globulin
(AHG)
Lymphocytes
Patient serum
+ rabbit complement
METHODS(CROSS MATCH)
Complement Dependent Lymphocytotoxicity (CDC): IgG antibodies directed against HLA class I (on both B
and T cells) are the most important. IgM antibody that shows reactivity at 4˚C and removed
by heating to 55˚C or treating with dithiotreithol(DTT) can be ignored.
Flow Cytometry Cross Match: Patients serum+target cells →washed and incubated with
anti-CD3(monoclonal mouse), Anti CD-19 and CD-20 antibodies and AHG conjugated with fluorescent dyes .
The fluorescence is measured by a flow cytometer and recorded in MCS(median channel shift).
SOLID PHASE ASSAYS
These assays use HLA antigens on various platforms. The tests fall into three general categories:
1. Using mixture of the HLA class I or class II antigens from several individuals.
2. Using class I or class II HLA antigens for a single individual.
3. Using a single HLA antigen produced through recombinant DNA technology.
Flow Cytometry(Latex beads)
ELISA
Anti-IgG-PE
Anti-IgG-FITC
HLA alloantibody
Luminex Array(Polystyrene beads)
Anti-IgG
Gebel and Bray. Transplantation Reviews 20: 189-194, 2006
SOLID PHASE ASSAYS
Purified HLA molecules are immobilized onto the surface of the solid surfaces: higher sensitivity than CDC-based assays
Used in HLA ab screening and identification of donor specific antibody
Sensitivity of DSA identification methods
DSA levels
Very high
HighModerateLowDSA negativ
e
Luminex SAB
Flow cytometry
CDC-AHG
CDCELISA
TRANSPLANTATION IN SENSITIZED PATIENTS
The definition of sensitization is variable. One definition defines it as moderately sensitized when PRA is >20% and highly sensitized when the PRA >80%. This is however variable between centres.
The definition of sensitization has undergone a paradigm shift after the adoption of a new concept called CPRA(calculated panel reactive antibodies) by the UNOS in 2009.
INTRODUCTION
Sensitization to HLA antigens occurs mainly through- Pregnancy Blood transfusions Previous organ transplantations
Sensitization significantly increases the waiting time for kidney transplantation.
This significantly increases the number of patients dying each year in want of a transplant (15-20% mortality/yr on HD)
Approx. 35% of patients have PRA>0% and 15% have PRA >80%.
Approx 17% of patients on waiting list have had a previous transplant.
INTRODUCTION
Previously, a positive DSA or a positive cross match was considered a contraindication to transplantation.
In the last decade, advances in diagnostics, pathology and therapeutics have made transplantation in sensitized patients possible.
Most of the current protocols are a modification of high-dose intravenous Ig (IVIG) initiated at Cedars
Sinai Medical Center or
plasmapheresis (PP) with low-dose IVIG initiated at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Donor typing:
A1,A2 B7,B8
Recipient typing:
A1,A3 B8, B52
+
Anti-A2
Anti-B7
A single sensitizing event can lead to multiple antibody specificities
Anti A2
Anti B7
A28A23
A69
A68
B57
A24B58
B27B60
B61
B13
B42
B54
B55
B48
B41
B47
+
Sensitization to multiple HLA antigens from a single transplant
Due to shared epitopes with donor HLA
PLASMAPHERESIS AND IMMUNOADSORPTION
Both these techniques are aimed at removing alloantibodies.
PP removes all plasma proteins including Ig. IA includes a sepharose-bound staphylococcal protein A
column with a high affinity for binding IgG and developed to remove IgG antibodies.
The advantages of IA over PP include specificity, a greater amount of antibody removal, and the elimination of the need to replace large volumes of plasma.
PLASMAPHERESIS AND IMMUNOADSORPTION
One 3- to 4-hour treatment course with IA results in a 15% to 20% reduction and three to six courses of treatment result in 90% reduction in plasma IgG levels.
However, anti- HLA antibody titers rebound and return to baseline levels within a few weeks after the completion of PP or IA.
Most of the IA columns manufactured in USA and Japan are not approved by the FDA
INHIBITION OF ANTIBODY PRODUCTION & COMPLEMENT INHIBITORS
Based on inhibiting antibody production by B-cells and plasma cells. Rituximab (Anti-CD 20):
off label use in desensitization protocol/treatment of AMR as a single dose of 375mg/m².
Plasma cells and pro-B cells do not have surface CD-20 decreasing the efficacy. B-cell recovery takes 6-12 months.
Bortezomib (Proteasomal Inhibitor): Induces apoptosis of plasma cells. Given in dosage of 1.3 mg/m² and repeated on days 4, 8, and 11 intravenously
over 3 to 5 seconds.
Eculizumab: It is a monoclonal antibody against C5. Binds to C5 protein with high affinity, thereby inhibiting its cleavage to C5a and
C5b and preventing generation of the terminal complement complex C5b-9.
IVIG & SPLENECTOMY
IVIg: Multiple effects on the immune system. Has been a part of the desensitization protocols for ABO incompatible
and cross-match positive patients and also for the Rx of AMR. The dose of IVIG varies among protocols from 100 mg/kg to 2.0 g/kg
and is usually given during a hemodialysis session or as a slow infusion in nondialysis patients.
Splenectomy: It has been used in desensitization protocols of ABO-incompatible
kidney transplant recipients. Splenectomy removes a major source of lymphocytes, including
antibody-secreting B cells, B cell precursor cells, and plasma cells. It has also been used in the treatment of refractory AMR
DESENSITIZATION PROTOCOLS
PP WITH LOW DOSE IVIG This protocol was first used in 1998 at Johns Hopkins Hospital in
cross-match incompatible living-donor kidney transplant candidates
Patients received PP and CMVIg at 100 mg/kg after each PP along with tacrolimus and MMF treatment for desensitization starting 2 to 3 weeks before transplantation.
The start of therapy depended on the DSA titers so that patients with low titers (<1:8) required two to three sessions of PP, whereas patients with higher titers (1:128) had six to 10 sessions.
Patients received transplantation if the cross-match became negative with the use of daclizumab induction therapy and continued for two to five sessions of PP after transplantation depending on the titers of DSA.
Pediatr Transplant 8: 535–542, 2004
PP WITH LOW DOSE IVIG Johns Hopkins Hospital used this protocol but all 4 patients
had AMR which responded to Rx and had 100% 1 yr graft survival.
This was slightly modified by using OKT3 induction. Lower AMR (36%) and 100 % I yr graft survival
Transplantation 70: 1531–1536, 2000
Mayo Clinic used ATG induction with rituximab and splenectomy with not so favorable outcomes.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital Transplant Center & Univ of Illinois also used this protocol but the AMR rate was high.
The latest report is from Univ of Maryland. Their patients, with this protocol and ATG/OKT3 induction had lower acute AMR (12%) compared with the studies discussed above, but patient survival and graft survival at 4 years were only 78% and 66%, respectively.
Am J Transplant 9: 536–542, 2009
HIGH-DOSE IVIG
First pioneered in Cedars Sinai Medical Centre, IVIg @2g/kg was given till the crossmatch was negative and then transplanted. The primary advantage was its applicability in deseased-donor kidney transplant.
This group also compared ATG + IVIg vs those without these, in CDC- but low level DSA+ pts and found significantly lower AMR when agents were used
COMPARISON OF PP/LOW DOSE IVIG VS HIGH DOSE IVIGPP/low-dose IVIG and rituximab demonstrated more success in abrogating positive cross-match and lower acute rejection rates, but no regimen was completely effective in preventing AMR.
CDC T cell CXM+
CDC T cell CXM-CDC B cell and/or flow cytometry T and/or B cell CXM+
The acute rejection rate decreased to 7% from 44% in the following 14 patients receiving PP.
HIGH AMR RATE (PROBLEM WITH DESENSITIZATION PROTOCOLS)According to a recent review of studies published between 2000-
2010, The patient and graft survival were 95% and 86%,
respectively, at a 2-year median follow-up.
Despite acceptable short term patient and graft survivals, the AMR was 36% and acute AMR was 28%, which is significantly higher than in nonsensitized patients (<10%).
The acute AMR rate was high regardless of which PP/low-dose IVIG or high-dose IVIG was applied or which types of induction agents were used (daclizumab, ATG, or alemtuzumab).
The addition of rituximab or splenectomy did not appear to decrease the acute AMR rate. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 6: 922–936, 2011
SUMMARY AND MESSAGE
Acute, subclinical, and chronic AMR rates are unacceptably high with current desensitization protocols despite acceptable short time graft survival.
There is also a concern about lower long term graft survival compared with nonsensitized patients.
The strongest predictor for development of AMR is the pretransplant strength of DSAs and those patients should be evaluated by Luminex single-antigen beads MFI and flow cytometry MCS values.
Patients with strong DSA’s should not be considered for transplantation
SUMMARY AND MESSAGE
There are presently no clear scientific data to recommend a certain protocol, but PP should be used in patients with strong DSAs to decrease the titers, and higher dose IVIG might have more immunomodulatory effect.
All cross-match incompatible living-donor candidates should be considered first for paired exchange programs.
Patients with low level DSA’s can be Tx with IVIg and induction with ATG/Campath
The role that novel agents such as bortezomib and eculizumab will play is not clear and requires more clinical experience
SO IS DESENSITIZATION REALLY HELPFUL?
THANK YOU