[Characterization with dithiothreitol (DTT) of IgM auto-lymphocytotoxic antibodies in dialyzed patients awaiting kidney transplants].

A group of 42 sensitized dialysis patients showing high reactivity (81%-100%) against a random panel of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), were analyzed for the presence of autoreactive lymphocytotoxic antibodies. The test was performed at different temperatures (4 degrees C, 22 degrees C, 37 degrees C) with dithiothreitol (DTT) against autologous PBL, EBV-induced autologous B lymphoblasts (A-BCL), K562 cells and T lymphocytes. Thirteen of 42 patients had IgM auto-lymphocytotoxic antibodies. The broadly reactive IgM autoantibodies could be inactivated by treatment with DTT 5 mM and allowed the identification of the presence of autoantibodies alone or in combination with anti-IgG alloantibodies.