[Present and future value of monoclonal antibodies in nephrology]

Many monoclonal antibodies directed against human T-lymphocytes have been produced in mice. Some of these, such as OKT 3, recognize all T-cells which can thus be counted in the blood; they have been used for the prevention of renal transplant rejection. Despite unexpected problems, such as antigenic modulation and anti-mouse sensitization, the first results obtained are promising. Other antibodies produced are directed against T-lymphocyte subsets, notably T-helpers (OKT4+) and T-suppressors or cytotoxic T-cells (OKT8+). Studies of the OKT4+/OKT8+ ratio have shown an imbalance in T-cell subsets in 2 types of glomerulonephritis: Berger's disease and membranous glomerulonephritis; they have also contributed to a better understanding of renal allograft rejection, where this ratio is often elevated.