Background: Duffy glycoprotein, belonging to blood group alloantigens, is also recognized as chemokine-binding protein, therefore the role of Duffy antigen in chemokine distribution has been postulated. Duffy positive phenotype prevalent among Caucasians is associated with antigen expression on erythrocytes and endothelium of several organs including kidney. The role of anti-Duffy antibodies significant in transfusiology may be also important in kidney transplantation.
Case report: The case of renal transplant recipient with Fy (a-b+) phenotype, possessing anti Fya antibodies, with unfortunate post-transplant course complicated with acute cellular and antibody-mediated graft rejections, with the presence of crescentic glomerular lesions, kidney graft insufficiency and recurrent urinary tract infections is presented. The role of anti-Duffy antibodies in acute antibody-mediated rejection is discussed.
Conclusions: Fy(a )antibodies present in renal recipient with Fy(a-b+) phenotype may be the reason for unfavorable transplantation outcome resulting from reaction against Duffy antigen up-regulated on graft tissue during ischemia reperfusion injury and acute rejection episode. In renal transplant recipients with antibody-mediated rejection without antidonor specific antibodies, incompatibility in blood group antigens other than AB0 system could be considered.