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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
16:15
Mouse Kidney Transplantation: Models of Allograft Rejection
Published on: October 11, 2014
Cigarette smoking and chronic allograft nephropathy
Nina Zitt1, Barbara Kollerits, Ulrich Neyer
1Clinical Division of Nephrology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria, Karl.lhotta@uki.at.
Summary
Smoking after kidney transplant is linked to fibrous intimal thickening in small arteries. While fewer patients smoke post-transplant, it remains a significant factor in allograft pathology.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Transplantation immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Smoking negatively impacts patient and graft survival post-kidney transplant.
- Limited data exists on specific histological changes in renal allografts due to smoking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the histological consequences of smoking in renal allografts.
- To identify specific lesions associated with smoking in transplanted kidneys.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated smoking habits in 279 kidney transplant recipients via questionnaire.
- Performed renal transplant biopsies on 76 patients over one year post-transplant.
- Analyzed histological changes using Banff 97 criteria and regression models.
Main Results:
- 22% of patients continued smoking post-transplant; this rate decreased in more recent cohorts.
- Current smokers showed a trend towards more frequent diabetes, transplant failure, and cardiovascular events.
- Vascular intimal fibrous thickening was significantly associated with current smoking (P=0.004).
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of post-transplant smoking has declined.
- Fibrous intimal thickening of small arteries is the primary allograft lesion associated with smoking.
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