Serum Anti-Carbohydrate Antibodies and Hyperacute Rejection

Abstract

Anti-carbohydrate antibody responses play a critical role in transplantation and can lead to hyperacute rejection. Pre-existing antibody responses to ABO blood group carbohydrate antigens present a major impediment to ABO-incompatible blood transfusions and organ transplantation. These antibodies are thought to arise as the result of exposure to similar epitopes found on gut microbiota. Several strategies exist for minimizing the effect of these antibodies for ABO-incompatible organ transplantation. Work is also progressing towards the efficient removal of these carbohydrates on red blood cells for use in blood transfusion and transplantation settings. Carbohydrate antigens such as αGal and ..