Reactivity of Autolymphocytotoxic Antibodies From Dialysis Patients With Lymphocytes From Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (Cll) Patients

Autolymphocytotoxic antibodies are found commonly in dialysis patients and these autoantibodies may be directed against T and B lymphocytes or just B lymphocytes. However, these autoantibodies react with a low frequency or not at all against chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells, and are not absorbed by autologous erythrocytes. Thus, a number of positive crossmatches between donor and recipient may be attributable to autoantibodies. Six renal transplants have been carried out in the presence of such a positive crossmatch against donor B lymphocytes, including one against donor T lymphocytes, with a successful graft outcome. Thus, the indications for renal transplantation in the presence of a positive crossmatch between donor and recipient are becoming better defined.