RENAL TRANSPLANTATION

AN OVERVIEW
 Patients Selection For Kidney
Transplanatation
All patients with ESRD are condidates
for KT unless
 Systemic malignancy.
 Chronic infection.
 Severe cardiovascular disease.
 Neuropsychiatric disorder.
 Extremes of age (relative).
 Patient Survival After Kidney
Transplantation VS haemodialysis
 Annual mortality rates for patients under dialysis range
from 21%-25%, but <8% with cadaveric and <4% with
living-related transplant recepients.
 Healthier patients generally are selected for
transplantation.
 The benefit of transplantation is most notable in young
people and in those with diabetes mellitus.
Projected years of life for patients 20-39 years old:
Dialysis Transplant
Non diabetic 20 31 years
Diabetic 8 25years
An adult donor kidney transplanted to the left iliac
fossa of an adult recipient.
 Kidney Donor

 Living related.

 Living unrelated (emotionally motivated).

 Cadaveric (Brain-dead)

Beating and non-beating heart.

CRITERIA FOR LIVING DONOR
SELECTION
- Blood relative.
- Highly motivated.
- ABO blood group-compatible.
- HLA-identical or haploidentical with
negative cross-match.
- Excellent medical condition with normal
renal function.
CRITERIA FOR CADAVER
DONOR SELECTION
- Irreversible brain damage.
- Normal renal function appropriate for age.
- No evidence of preexisting renal disease.
- No evidence of transmissible diseases.
- ABO blood group-compatible.
- Negative cross-match.
- Best HLA match possible, particularly at the
DR and B loci.
 Principles Involved In evaluating A
Prospective Living Kidney Donor

 Whether there is a medical condition that

will put donor at increased risk for
complications for general anaesthesia or
surgery.
 Wether the removal of one kidney will
increase the donor’s risk for developing
renal insufficiency.
 Evaluation Of Kidney Function In
Potential Kidney Donor

 Serum creatinine.
 Creatinine clearance.
 Radionuclide glomerular filtration rate.
 Urine analysis.
 Urine Culture.
 GFR > 70 ml/min.
Medical Conditions That Exclude Living
Kidney Donation
 Renal parenchymal disease.
 Conditions that may predispose to renal disease
History of stone disease
History of frequent UTI
Hypertension
D.M.
 Conditions that increase the risks of anaesthesia
and surgery.
 Recent malignancy.
Does Donation Of A kidney Pose A long-
?term Risk For The Donor

 Following nephrectomy, compensatory hypertrophy

and increase in GFR occur in the remaining kidney.

 Slight risk of poteinuria and hypertension.

 Meta-analysis of data from donors followed for >20y

confirmed safety of kidney donation.

 CONTRAINDICATIONS TO RENAL
TRANSPLANTATION
- ABO incompatibility.
- Cystoxic antibodies against HLA antigens of donor.
- Recent or metastatic malignancy.
- Active infection.
- AIDS.
- Severe extrarenal disease (cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic).
- Active vasculitis or glomeulonephritis.
- Uncorrectable lower urinary tract disease.
- Noncompliance.
- Psychiatric illness including alcoholism and drug addiction.
- Morbid obesity.
- Age > 70 years.
- Primary oxalosis.
- Persistent coagulation disorder.
Matching between Recepient And Donor
A- Tissue typing
 Determined by 6 antigens located on cell surface encoded for
by the HLA gen located on the short arm of chromosom 6.
 Class I antigens (HLA-A and HLA-B) are expressed on the
surface of most nucleated cells.
 Class II antigen (HLA-DR) are expressed on surface of APC
and activated lymphocytes.
 These 6 antigens are refered to as major transplant antigens.
 The match between donor and recepient can range from 0 to
six.
Matching between Recepient And Donor

B- Cross matching

 A laboratory test that determines weather a potential transplant

recepient has preformed antibodies against the HLA antigens of the

potential donor. (Donor Lymphocytest +Recepient Serum)

 A Final CM is mandatory

C- Compatible ABO blood group.

Structure of the HLA class I and class II antigens.
Oraganization of the human HLA genes on chromosome 6.
Effect Of HLA Matching On The Graft Outcome

 Data from large registries indicate that, the better the HLA-
match, the better the long-term survival of the allograft.
 The benefits of matching are particularly notworthy in
recipients of kidneys from donors with zero missmatch.
 The benefits of lesser degrees of matching have become less
obvious with the use of newer and more potent
immunosuppressive drugs.
 Matching for DR antigens are more favorable than others.
 The beneficial effect of HLA B and DR matching in
patients with and without the benefit of cyclosporine.
Factors Influencing The Longivity Of
Renal Allograft
 Age
 HLA matching
 Delayed graft function
 Ischemia time.
 Number of acute rejection episodes.
 Native kidney disease.
 Ethnicity.
 Others
Relative incidence of causes of allograft dysfunction
during the year following transplantation.
What Are The Major Causes Of Long-
? Term Allograft Failure

 Chronic rejection.

 Death with functioning graft.

What Are The Most Common causes Of
?Death After Kidney Transplantation

 Cardiovascular disease.

 Infection.
Immune responses to renal allograft
 Contraindications To Renal
Transplantation
Absolute :
 Severe vascular disease.
Relative :
 Recent malignancy.
 Coronary artery disease.
 Active bacterial, fungal, or viral disease.
 HIV positivity.
 Social conditions.
 Others.
Renal Allograft Rejection

1- Hyperacute.

2- Acute.

3- Chronic.
 Hyperacute Rejection
 Is mediated by preformed antibodies that recognize HLA
antigens in donor organ.
 Usually these are formed as a consequence of blood
transfusion, pregnancy, prior organ transplantation,
autoimmune diseases.
 Fibrinoid necrosis lead to immediate graft loss.
 Delayed form may occur several days following
transplantation.
 Plasmapheresis and pulse steroid may be used.
Hyperacute rejection.
 Acute Renal Allograft Rejection

 IS mediated by activated T-lymphocytes.

 Activation of T-cells occur after recognition of
graft antigen either directly or after being
processed and presented by APC.
 This usually occur during the first 6 mon.
 It manifest as increase in s. creatinine with or
without oliguria.
Histology of acute cellular rejection
Vasculitis
 ? How Common Is acute Rejection

 At least one episode of acute rejection occurs in

62% in patients treated by CsA, Aza and steroids.
 With Newer immunosuppressants drugs rates are
less.
CSA, Aza, Steroid+Simulect is 36%

ST, Rapa+ (MM For FK) + Simulect is~ 18%

 Treatment Of Acute Rejection

1. Pulse steroids

2. ATG, OKT3.

3. MMF, Tacrolimus.

4. IVIG.

More than 90% of acute rejection

episodes occuring in the first 6 mon can
be reversed.
 Chronic allograft Rejection
 Manifest clinically by a slow and gradual
decline in renal function, usually more
than 6 mon after transplant and typically
accompanied by moderate to heavy
proteinuria.
 Histologically, characterized by
glomerulo-sclerosis, interstitial fibrosis,
and obliteration of arteriolar lumina.
 Treatment is unsatisfactory.
Chronic rejection with tubulointerstitial lesions.
Fibrointimal proliferation in renal
arterioles in chronic rejection.
 Chronic allograft Rejection VS
Transplant glomerulopathy
 A- Immunologic
 B- Non-lummunologic
• hypertension
• Hyperlipidemia
• Drug toxicity (CsA, FK)
• Ischaemic injury
• Viral infection (CMV)
• Others
 - C4d deposits in peritubular capillaries as
marker of ongoing immune injury
 Management of Transplant
glomerulopathy
 Switch from calcineurin inhibitor.
 ACEIs or ARBs.
 Statins.
 Increasing immunosuppression?
 Others
 Banff criteria for diagnosis of allograft
rejection

BANFF GRADE HISTOLOGY

I Interstitial edema and tubulitis (i.e.,
lymphocytic invasion of tubular basement
membranes.

II More severe tubulitis with or without mild

vasculitis characterized by intimal
lymphocytic infiltrates

III Severe vasculitis with fibrinoid necrosis.

 Principles underlying current
immunosuppressive treatment
1- The benefits of a successful transplant outweight the

risks of chronic immunosuppression.

2- Immunosuppressive therapy is required indefinitely.

3- Multidrug regimens are generally employed.

4- Large doses of immunosuppressant drugs are used in

the early transplant period.

Classes of Maintenance Immunosuppressive Drugs
Class Examples

Immunophilin-binding
agents Calcineurin inhibitors
Cyclosporine
Tacrolimus (FK506)
Calcinurin-independent agents
Sirolimus (rapamycin)
Glucocoriticoids
Antimetabolites Purine inhibitors: nonselective
Azathioprine
Purine inhibitors:lymphocyte selective
Mycophenolate mofetil (RS-61443)
Mizoribine*
Pyrimidine inhibitors
Brequinar*

Poorly understood mechanisms

Deoxyspergualin*
Leflunomide*

*Experimental or not yet approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Sites of action of immunosuppressive drugs.
 Risks associated with chronic
Immunosuppression
 1- Malignancy

 2- Infection

 3- Side effects of different drugs (steroids,

CsA, tacrolimus, MMF, …..)
 Side Effects of Glucocoriticoids

____________________________________________________
• Weight gain with cushingoid ▪ Dermatologic effects
features (acne, striae, easy bruisability,

• Hypertension impaired wound healing)

• Hyperlipidemia ▪ Impaired growth

• Osteopenia ▪ Glucose intolerance
• Cataracts
______________________________________________________________________
Side Effects of Immunophiline-binding Agents
Side Effect Cyclosporine Tacrolimus Sirolimus

Nephrotoxicity ++ ++
Neurotoxicity + ++ -
(tremor, seizures)
Hirsutism ++ - -
Gingival hyperplasia + - -
Hypertension ++ +
Hyperlipidemia ++ +/- +++
Glucose intolerance + +++
Bone marrow suppression - - ++
 Side Effects of Antimetabolites

_____________________________________________________
Side effect Azathioprine Mycophenolate
Mofetil
______________________________________________________________________

Bone marrow suppression +++ ++

Gastrointestinal + ++
_____________________________________________________________________
Induction Immunosuppressive therapy
 During the first 1-3 weeks post transplant.
 Usually refer to use of anti-T-cell antibodies
- polyclonal (ATGAM, thymoglobin).
- Monoclonal (Simulect, Zinapax, OKT3).
 Helpful to delay use of calcineurin drugs, may
decrease acute rejection and improve graft
outcome (debatable).
 Expensive, risk of infection and malignancy
 Better used in selected patients.
 Side Effects of Induction
Antibodies
Side effect OKT3 Polyclonals Anti-CD25
Agets

Fever +++ + _
Headache ++ + _
Myalgias ++ + _
Gastrointestinal ++ _ _
(diarrhea, nausea)
Respiratory distress + +/- _
 Some commonly used combinations of
maintenance Immunosuppressive drugs

1- Prednisolon + Azathiaprine
2- Prednisolon + cyclosporine (or tacrolimus)
3- Prednisolon + cyclosporine + Azathioprine
4- MMF (cell cept) may replace Azathioprine.
5- Sirolimus (Rapaimmune) may replace Azathioprine
or cyclosprine
 Common drug interactions
- Drugs acting on cytochrome P450 affect the
metabolism of CsA, tacrolimus, and sirolimus.
1- ↑ Metabolism ↓ level
• Anticonvulsants • Antituberculous
2- ↓ Metabolism ↑ level
• anti-fungus (ketoconazole..)
• erythromycin and clarithromycin
• calcium channel blockers
• metoclopramide
- Azathioprine and allopurinol.
Sonogram showing a lympgocele adjacent to a kidney.
Lodohippurate sodium 1131 renal scan,
showing urine extravasation
Sonogram consistent with ureteral obstruction
showing hydronephrosis.
Acute pyelonephritis in a renal which ultimately required
nephrectomy, secondary to associated obstruction.
 Diffuse perihilar inflitrate secondary to cytomegalovirus
infection in an 18 year old man with a rapidly deteriorating
febrile condition 5 weeks posttransplant, after a course of
antilymphocyte globulin (for rejection).
Kaposi’s sarcoma
 Bone scan of the hip in later stage aseptic
necrosis, showing increased perfusion of the
femoral heads (arrows).
In geneal, renal transplantation should be
recommended as the preferred mode of RRT for
most patients with ESRD in whome surgery and
subsequent I.S. is safe and feasible.
 Cr CI 50-100 ml/min.
 Anemia.
 Conception and childbearing.
 Growth in children.
 Bone metabolism.
 Work rehabilitation.
 A healthy child born to a female transplant
recipient, 3 years after a successful engraftment.