[Hyperacute kidney graft rejection with and without demonstration of antibodies]

Hyperacute rejection was studied in presensitized recipients of renal homografts and pig-to-dog heterografts. In these experiments antidonor antibodies can be observed but their participation in the rejection process cannot be assessed quantitatively. The importance of antibodies lies in their capacity to activate the complement system, which in turn destroys the graft. Intrarenal complement activation was also demonstrated in two clinical cases of hyperacute rejection, in one of which activation was by the alternate pathway.