Levels of anti-A/B antibodies after ABO-incompatible hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

In contrast to solid organ transplantation, ABO incompatibility is generally not associated with survival differences in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Therefore, patients receiving ABO-incompatible stem cell transplantation can be analyzed to study the mechanism of tolerance induction after antigen-mismatched transplantation. The goal of this study was to analyze the levels of anti-A/B antibodies after ABO-incompatible transplantation. Host-derived antidonor antibodies disappeared rapidly after transplantation and did not reappear in the further posttransplant course. Donor-derived antihost antibodies did not significantly increase and compatible anti-A/B antibodies remained positive after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Thus, there is no evidence for stimulation of donor B lymphocytes to produce antirecipient antibodies suggesting a potential B cell tolerance.