Clinical conundrums in pediatric kidney transplantation: What we know about the role of angiotensin II type I receptor antibodies in pediatric kidney transplantation and the path forward

Abstract

Antibodies to angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R-Abs) are among the most well-studied non-HLA antibodies in renal transplantation. These antibodies have been shown to be common in pediatric kidney transplantation and associated with antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), vascular inflammation, development of human leukocyte donor-specific antibodies (HLA DSA), and allograft loss. As AT1R-Ab testing becomes more readily accessible, evidence to guide clinical practice for testing and treating AT1R-Ab positivity in pediatric kidney transplant recipients remains limited. This review discusses the clinical complexities of evaluating AT1R-Abs given the current available evidence.

Keywords: angiotensin II type 1 receptor antibody; cytokine; endothelin type A receptor antibody; human leukocyte antigen donor‐specific antibody; pediatric nephrology; transplantation.