Chronic antibody-mediated allograft rejection (ABMR) is still a main cause for the high rate of graft loss after kidney transplantation. We will study the relevance of graft-infiltrating B-lymphocytes during ABMR and the molecular mechanisms and signals involved. Our experiments will be performed using a well-established experimental transplantation model in rats and will be validated by studying human allograft biopsies. The expected results will help understand the mechanisms of ABMR and develop a new approach to the long-term suppression of donor-specific antibody formation, which could lead to a new strategy for the treatment of chronic allograft failure.
DFG Programme
Collaborative Research Centres
