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Updated: Mar 12, 2026
Mouse Model of Alloimmune-induced Vascular Rejection and Transplant Arteriosclerosis
Published on: May 17, 2015
Plasma C4d+ Endothelial Microvesicles Increase in Acute Antibody-Mediated Rejection
Cindy M Tower1, Morayma Reyes, Karen Nelson
11 Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. 2 Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. 3 Immunogenetics/HLA Laboratory, Bloodworks Northwest, Seattle, WA. 4 Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. 5 Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. 6 Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA.
Plasma microvesicles positive for C4d and CD144 are elevated in antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). This finding offers a potential noninvasive biomarker for early diagnosis and monitoring of kidney transplant rejection.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunology
- Transplant Science
Background:
- Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is a primary cause of kidney transplant failure.
- Current diagnostic methods for AMR, such as biopsy, are invasive.
- A noninvasive biomarker for acute AMR could enable earlier detection and treatment, improving outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma microvesicles as potential noninvasive biomarkers for antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in kidney transplant recipients.
- To determine if microvesicles expressing endothelial marker CD144 and C4d are elevated in AMR.
Main Methods:
- Plasma microvesicle concentrations were analyzed in 95 kidney transplant patients and 23 healthy volunteers.
- Patients were diagnosed with AMR based on biopsy and Banff classification.
- Microvesicles positive for C4d, CD144, and Annexin V were quantified.
Main Results:
- Patients with AMR showed significantly higher densities of C4d+/CD144+ microvesicles compared to those without AMR and healthy controls.
- Elevated levels of C4d+ and C4d+/Annexin V+ microvesicles were observed in AMR patients.
- A significant decrease in C4d+/CD144+ microvesicles was noted after treatment for acute AMR.
Conclusions:
- Quantification of plasma C4d+ microvesicles can indicate the presence and severity of AMR.
- Plasma microvesicle analysis shows promise as a noninvasive tool for monitoring AMR and treatment response in kidney transplant patients.
