C4d Deposition after Allogeneic Renal Transplantation in Rats Is Involved in Initial Apoptotic Cell Clearance

In the context of transplantation, complement activation is associated with poor prognosis and outcome. While complement activation in antibody-mediated rejection is well-known, less is known about complement activation in acute T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR). There is increasing evidence that complement contributes to the clearance of apoptotic debris and tissue repair. In this regard, we have analysed published human kidney biopsy transcriptome data clearly showing upregulated expression of complement factors in TCMR. To clarify whether and how the complement system is activated early during acute TCMR, experimental syngeneic and allogeneic renal transplantations were performed. Using an allogeneic rat renal transplant model, we also observed upregulation of complement factors in TCMR in contrast to healthy kidneys and isograft controls. While staining for C4d was positive, staining with a C3d antibody showed no C3d deposition. FACS analysis of blood showed the absence of alloantibodies that could have explained the C4d deposition. Gene expression pathway analysis showed upregulation of pro-apoptotic factors in TCMR, and apoptotic endothelial cells were detected by ultrastructural analysis. Monocytes/macrophages were found to bind to and phagocytise these apoptotic cells. Therefore, we conclude that early C4d deposition in TCMR may be relevant to the clearance of apoptotic cells.

Assisted peritoneal dialysis and transfer to haemodialysis: a cause-specific analysis with data from the RDPLF

Background Technique failure, defined as death or transfer to haemodialysis (HD), is a major concern in peritoneal dialysis (PD). Nurse-assisted PD is globally associated with a lower risk of transfer to HD. We aimed to evaluate the association between assisted PD and the risk of the different causes of transfer to HD. Methods This was a retrospective study using data from the French Language PD Registry of patients on incident PD from 2006 to 2015. The association between the use of assisted PD and the causes of transfer to HD was evaluated using survival analysis with competing events in unmatched and propensity score-matched cohorts. Results The study included 11 093 incident PD patients treated in 123 French PD units. There were 4273 deaths, 3330 transfers to HD and 2210 renal transplantations. The causes of transfer to HD were inadequate dialysis (1283), infection (524), catheter-related problems (334), social issues (250), other causes linked to PD (422), other causes not linked to PD (481) and encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (6). Nurse-assisted PD patients were older and more comorbid. Assistance by nurse was associated with a higher risk of death [cause-specific hazard ratio (cs-HR) 2.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.26–2.74], but with a lower risk of transfer to HD [subdistributionHR (sd-HR) 0.68, 95% CI 0.62–0.76], especially due to inadequate dialysis (cs-HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.75–0). Conclusions The lower risk of transfer to HD associated with nurse assistance should encourage decision makers to launch reimbursement programmes in countries where it is not available.

Multiple Renal Arteries with an Ascending Upward Renal Vein of the Right Kidney: a Case Report

As it is known; the majority of the human subjects has two renal arteries arising from the abdominal aorta; each will supply one kidney but in 30% of individuals, certain variations can be found. Accessory renal arteries constitute the most common and clinically important of these variations. For our case report, we are presenting one of these different variations that can be found in the blood supply of the kidneys. During dissecting the abdomen of an approximately 65 years-old male cadaver, multiple variations were found. There were double right renal arteries with prehilar branching of the upper renal artery. We found also that the right renal vein ascended upwards obliquely before ending in the lateral aspect of the inferior vena cava. Variation in the renal vessels is relatively common, especially multiple renal arteries, and can go smoothly without any abnormalities with the function of the kidney, but in some situations like renal transplantations, vascular reconstructions, and various surgical and radiological diagnostic techniques, the study of the anatomy of these variations is of crucial importance to decrease the patient morbidity during surgical procedures.

Extracorporeal Therapies in the Treatment of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is one of the most frequent and severe glomerular kidney disease with frequent progression to end-stage renal disease and a high rate of recurrence in renal transplantations. Due to intolerance or resistance to the current immunomodulatory treatments, the management of FSGS is a therapeutic challenge. Over the last few years, development in extracorporeal therapies has shown potential beneficial outcomes in drug-resistant and recurrent FSGS patients. Thus, this study reviews the current literature on the use of extracorporeal therapies, such as plasma exchange therapy, immunoadsorption, and low-density lipoprotein apheresis, for the treatment of FSGS in the pediatric population.

Factors related to suboptimal recovery of renal function after living donor nephrectomy: a retrospective study

Background The renal function of the remaining kidney in living donors recovers up to 60~70% of pre-donation estimated-glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by compensatory hypertrophy. However, the degree of this hypertrophy varies from donor to donor and the factors related to it are scarcely known. Methods We analyzed 103 living renal transplantations in our institution and divided them into two groups: compensatory hypertrophy group [optimal group, 1-year eGFR ≥60% of pre-donation, n = 63] and suboptimal compensatory hypertrophy group (suboptimal group, 1-year eGFR < 60% of pre-donation, n = 40). We retrospectively analyzed the factors related to suboptimal compensatory hypertrophy. Results Baseline eGFRs were the same in the two groups (optimal versus suboptimal: 82.0 ± 13.1 ml/min/1.73m2 versus 83.5 ± 14.8 ml/min/1.73m2, p = 0.588). Donor age (optimal versus suboptimal: 56.0 ± 10.4 years old versus 60.7 ± 8.7 years old, p = 0.018) and uric acid (optimal versus suboptimal: 4.8 ± 1.2 mg/dl versus 5.5 ± 1.3 mg/dl, p = 0.007) were significantly higher in the suboptimal group. The rate of pathological chronicity finding on 1-h biopsy (ah≧1 ∩ ct + ci≧1) was much higher in the suboptimal group (optimal versus suboptimal: 6.4% versus 25.0%, p = 0.007). After the multivariate analysis, the pathological chronicity finding [odds ratio (OR): 4.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3–17.8, p = 0.021] and uric acid (per 1.0 mg/dl, OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1–2.2, p = 0.022) were found to be independent risk factors for suboptimal compensatory hypertrophy. Conclusion Chronicity findings on baseline biopsy and higher uric acid were associated with insufficient recovery of the post-donated renal function.

Five Years of Renal Transplantations in Montenegro: Results and Challenges

First renal transplantation in Montenegro was performed on September 25th, 2012. Since then, 32 transplantations have been performed. Only one was from deceased donor, the remaining were from living donors. 40.4% of all patients with end-stage renal disease currently live with the functioning renal allograft (190 patients on dialysis, 129 transplanted patients). There are 32 patients on the waiting list. Further efforts will be focused on development of the deceased donor program and introduction of the AB0 incompatible renal transplantations.

Veseátültetések a szombathelyi nefrológiai centrumban, 1976–2016

Introduction: The organized nephrological care in Szombathely commenced its activities in 1976. Aim: Follow-up of our patients who has undergone a kidney transplantation. Method: We used the local and national databases. Results: 213 patients (7 preemptive, 206 dialyzed) had 240 renal transplantations. Only 11 of them were living organ donation. Between 69 transplantations (Tx) were carried out between 1976–1995, and 163 Tx were done in the second 20 years. 122 patients (57%) are still alive (the average survival of these patients in renal replacement therapy - RRT - are 11.4 years), and 7 of them had transplantation between 1976–1995. The longest survival time was 35.1 years. Prevalence of patients on RRT at the end of 2016 was 1367 pmp in our county (32.5% living with functioning graft). Conclusions: Number of transplanted patients has grown in the last decade. Proportion of living organ donation was minimal. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(25): 984–991.