Immunopathology of Corneal Allograft Rejection and Donor-Specific Antibodies (DSAs) as Immunological Predictors of Corneal Transplant Failure

Abstract

Despite tremendous developments in the field of laboratory testing in transplantation, the rules of eligibility for corneal transplantation still do not include typing of human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) in the donor and recipient or detection of donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) in the patient. The standard use of diagnostic algorithms is due to the cornea belonging to immunologically privileged tissues, which usually determines the success of transplantation of this tissue. A medical problem is posed by patients at high risk of transplant rejection, in whom the immune privilege of the eye is abolished and the risk of transplant failure increases. Critical to the success of transplantation in patients at high risk of corneal rejection may be the selection of an HLA-matched donor and recipient, and the detection of existing and/or de novo emerging DSAs in the patient. Incorporating the assessment of these parameters into routine diagnostics may contribute to establishing immune risk stratification for transplant rejection and effective personalized therapy for patients.

Keywords

• keratoplasty
• transplantation
• cornea
• human leukocyte antigens (HLAs)
• donor-specific antibodies (DSAs)
• ocular immune privilege