Cellular and humoral immunity after clinical renal transplantation

Cellular and humoral responses against donor lymphocytes were studied in ten kidney-transplant patients, nine of whom had well functioning grafts. No(T)cell-mediated cytotoxicity against donor cells was demonstrated. Specific anti-donor antibodies were found in two recipients with well-accepted grafts. A single immunological factor responsible for a favourable clinical course was not demonstrated. Neither complete T nor B cell tolerance against donor cells had developed, and a well-tolerated graft could coexist with antibodies directed against donor cells.