The use of tests for cell mediated cytotoxicity in clinical kidney transplantation.

The test systems for antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and direct cell-mediated lympholysis (DCML) were used to measure the immunological response of kidney transplanted patients against donor related targets before and after transplantation and in long term allograft recipients. An isolated positive ADCC cross march was found to indicate a grave graft prognosis. Positive DCML reactions were correlated to clinical rejection. In long term recipients antibodies reactive in ADCC against donor related targets seemed to be correlated with a state of chronic rejection.