Atualmente é reconhecida a importância clínica dos poliomavírus, especialmente a morbidade relacionada à infecção por BKV em pacientes submetidos a transplante renal. Apesar de já bem estabelecidas no exterior, existem em nosso meio poucas informações disponíveis sobre a incidência do poliomavirus BK nestes pacientes. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi o de determinar a incidência do poliomavírus BK em amostras sequenciais de urina e plasma de pacientes submetidos a transplante renal da Unidade de Transplante Renal do HC-FMUSP. Outros objetivos foram a genotipagem dos vírus circulantes, o sequenciamento da região VP1 do vírus para avaliar se a origem da infecção no receptor é oriunda do doador e ainda a investigação se rearranjos na região NCCR do BKV estariam associados a evolução para viremia. Os resultados mostraram que a densidade de incidência do BKV em receptores de transplante renal é de 8,1 casos de viruria por 100 receptores/mês e, entre os receptores virúricos, a densidade de incidência de viremia foi de 3,5 casos observados por cada 100 receptores/mês. A distribuição dos genótipos do BKV entre os receptores mostrou predomínio do genótipo I, em sua maioria pertencentes ao subgrupo Ia. Foram identificados os genótipos III e IV, considerados raros no exterior. A origem da infecção pelo BKV parece não ser exclusiva do doador, podendo estar relacionada à reativação de vírus do próprio receptor. Houve predomínio das formas arquetípicas de NCCR do BKV no sangue, sugerindo que formas rearranjadas do vírus não são uma condição para evolução para viremia. Outros estudos que incluam a análise sorológica, imunossupressão e dados clínicos devem ser elaborados para sustentar tais resultados / Currently, the clinical importance of polyomaviruses, especially the morbidity related to BKV infection in renal transplant patients, is well recognized. Although established abroad, in Brazil there is a lack of information available about the incidence of polyomavirus BK in these patients. The main objective of this study was to determine the incidence of BK polyomavirus in sequential samples of urine and plasma of patients undergoing renal transplantation at the Renal Transplant Unit of HCFMUSP. Other objectives were genotyping of circulating viruses, sequencing of VP1 region of the virus to assess the source of BKV infection from the donor and determine if BKV NCCR gene rearrangements would be associated with progression to viremia. The results showed that the incidence of BKV viruria in kidney transplant recipients was 8.1 cases per 100 receptors/month and, within the positive viruria receptors, the incidence of viremia was 3.5 cases per 100 receptors/month. The distribution of genotypes of BKV among recipients showed a predominance of genotype I, mostly belonging to subgroup Ia. Genotypes III and IV, which are considered rare abroad, were identified. The origin of BKV infection seems not to be exclusively from donor, and may be related to reactivation of BKV from the receptor. There was a predominance of archetypal forms of the NCCR BKV in the blood, suggesting that rearranged forms of the virus are not a mandatory condition for progress to viremia. Other studies including a serological analysis, immunosuppressant schedules and clinical data should be undertaken to sustain such results

<p>Live donor nephrectomy (LDN) is a unique surgical challenge where surgery is performed on healthy individuals. It is of great importance to keep the morbidity of donors as low as possible, as well as harvesting a kidney in optimal condition. Lowering morbidity is the motive for introducing the endoscopic technique in LDN. Oliguria and impaired kidney function can, however, be seen during pneumoperitoneum and endoscopic LDN have been criticized for not yet being proven safe enough.</p><p>The aims of this study were to investigate the changes in renal function during elevated intraabdominal pressure (IAP) in donors and rats and to evaluate donor morbidity and safety of the new endoscopic techniques compared to the open LDN.</p><p>In two studies, a rat model was used. It was found that elevation of IAP diminished glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Cardiac output (CO) and renal blood flow decreased as well. Elevation of IAP activates the renin system and aldosterone was increased. Acute angiotensin II receptor 1 blockade (candesartan) treatment lowered blood pressure significantly and impaired renal function during elevated IAP. Volume expansion prior to, and during, pneumoperitoneum reduces the deleterious effects on renal function.</p><p>Three studies on kidney live donors show that traditional laparoscopic surgery (TLS) takes longer time to perform than open LDN. Hand-assistance facilitates the operation and increases the safety margin as well as shortens the operation by 27% compared to TLS. Evaluation of a hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopy (HARS), performed for the first time ever in Uppsala 2001, show that the operation is short and safe, the donors experience little pain and the renal function is favourable compared to open surgery, TLS and hand-assisted transperitoneal laparoscopic approaches.</p><p>In conclusion, the results indicate that elevated IAP decreases GFR due to decreased CO and activation of the RAAS, which can be avoided with adequate hydration. Endoscopy can be facilitated if hand-assistance is applied and in particular hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy shows advantages for the donor.</p>

<p>Kidney dysfunction increases cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The mechanisms for the risk increase seem to involve a combination of traditional and non-traditional CVD risk factors.</p><p>We studied renal dysfunction as CVD and mortality risk factor in middle-aged men free from diabetes and CVD. The risk for myocardial infarction (MI) and CVD mortality was increased by ~40% in the 16.5% of men with worse renal function, independent of other CVD risk factors.</p><p>Renal transplant dysfunction as CVD and mortality risk factor was also studied. Renal transplant dysfunction was a risk factor for mortality and for combined CVD endpoint. The risk by renal transplant dysfunction was independent of traditional CVD risk factors as well as transplantation-specific risk factors. Only moderate increase in serum creatinine resulted in mortality and CVD risk comparable to diabetes, older age and higher low density lipoprotein levels.</p><p>In haemodialysis patients, the effects of a dialysis session on non-traditional CVD risk factors were studied. A HD session reduced asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and homocysteine levels, as well as augmentation index (AIx). The change in AIx was related to ADMA plasma level change.</p><p>In patients with stage 3-5 chronic kidney disease (CKD), endothelium dependent vasodilation (EDV) was studied together with markers of oxidative stress and C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP was related to lipid peroxidation, while EDV was related to intracellular antioxidative capacity measured by reduced glutathione levels.</p><p>These studies demonstrate that mild to moderate renal dysfunction is independently associated with increased CVD risk in apparently healthy people, as well as in renal transplant recipients. The mechanisms by which renal dysfunction increases CVD risk are yet to be elucidated. We suggest that arterial stiffness could be reduced in haemodialysis patients by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability. In stage 3-5 CKD patients, improving intracellular antioxidative capacity may result in endothelial function improvement.</p>

Live donor nephrectomy (LDN) is a unique surgical challenge where surgery is performed on healthy individuals. It is of great importance to keep the morbidity of donors as low as possible, as well as harvesting a kidney in optimal condition. Lowering morbidity is the motive for introducing the endoscopic technique in LDN. Oliguria and impaired kidney function can, however, be seen during pneumoperitoneum and endoscopic LDN have been criticized for not yet being proven safe enough. The aims of this study were to investigate the changes in renal function during elevated intraabdominal pressure (IAP) in donors and rats and to evaluate donor morbidity and safety of the new endoscopic techniques compared to the open LDN. In two studies, a rat model was used. It was found that elevation of IAP diminished glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Cardiac output (CO) and renal blood flow decreased as well. Elevation of IAP activates the renin system and aldosterone was increased. Acute angiotensin II receptor 1 blockade (candesartan) treatment lowered blood pressure significantly and impaired renal function during elevated IAP. Volume expansion prior to, and during, pneumoperitoneum reduces the deleterious effects on renal function. Three studies on kidney live donors show that traditional laparoscopic surgery (TLS) takes longer time to perform than open LDN. Hand-assistance facilitates the operation and increases the safety margin as well as shortens the operation by 27% compared to TLS. Evaluation of a hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopy (HARS), performed for the first time ever in Uppsala 2001, show that the operation is short and safe, the donors experience little pain and the renal function is favourable compared to open surgery, TLS and hand-assisted transperitoneal laparoscopic approaches. In conclusion, the results indicate that elevated IAP decreases GFR due to decreased CO and activation of the RAAS, which can be avoided with adequate hydration. Endoscopy can be facilitated if hand-assistance is applied and in particular hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy shows advantages for the donor.

Kidney dysfunction increases cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The mechanisms for the risk increase seem to involve a combination of traditional and non-traditional CVD risk factors. We studied renal dysfunction as CVD and mortality risk factor in middle-aged men free from diabetes and CVD. The risk for myocardial infarction (MI) and CVD mortality was increased by ~40% in the 16.5% of men with worse renal function, independent of other CVD risk factors. Renal transplant dysfunction as CVD and mortality risk factor was also studied. Renal transplant dysfunction was a risk factor for mortality and for combined CVD endpoint. The risk by renal transplant dysfunction was independent of traditional CVD risk factors as well as transplantation-specific risk factors. Only moderate increase in serum creatinine resulted in mortality and CVD risk comparable to diabetes, older age and higher low density lipoprotein levels. In haemodialysis patients, the effects of a dialysis session on non-traditional CVD risk factors were studied. A HD session reduced asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and homocysteine levels, as well as augmentation index (AIx). The change in AIx was related to ADMA plasma level change. In patients with stage 3-5 chronic kidney disease (CKD), endothelium dependent vasodilation (EDV) was studied together with markers of oxidative stress and C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP was related to lipid peroxidation, while EDV was related to intracellular antioxidative capacity measured by reduced glutathione levels. These studies demonstrate that mild to moderate renal dysfunction is independently associated with increased CVD risk in apparently healthy people, as well as in renal transplant recipients. The mechanisms by which renal dysfunction increases CVD risk are yet to be elucidated. We suggest that arterial stiffness could be reduced in haemodialysis patients by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability. In stage 3-5 CKD patients, improving intracellular antioxidative capacity may result in endothelial function improvement.

Inkstų persodinimas yra aktuali priemonė gydant inkstų ligas. Nuo inkstų ligų visame pasaulyje kenčia apie 10 % suaugusių žmonių. Vienas suaugęs žmogus iš dešimties kenčia nuo chroniškų inkstų ligų. Apie 1,5 mln. žmonių gyvybė palaikoma dializės būdu, vidutiniškai jie inkstų persodinimo laukia apie septynerius metus. Šio darbo tikslas — nustatyti ligoniams persodinto inksto atmetimo riziką, išgyvenamumo galimybes bei terapijos įtaką. Darbe buvo tiriami duomenys pasitelkiant Kaplan-Meierio išgyvenamumo analizę, Kokso regresiją, logistinę regresiją ir t.t. Iš viso buvo ištirti 604 tiriamieji, kuriems buvo persodintas inkstas ir nustatyta, kad veiksniai įtakojantys inksto atmetimą yra ligonio amžius, svoris bei kreatino kiekis tyrimo pradžioje. Kaplan-Meierio išgyvenamumo analizė parodė, kad išgyvenamumo kreivės iki inksto atmetimo nepriklauso nuo gydymo. Kokso regresijos modelis atskleidė, kad inksto atmetimas susijęs su kreatino kiekiu pradžioje, svoriu bei amžiumi. Be to, tyrimas rodo, kad kreatino kiekis pabaigoje sumažėja, taikant tiek kontrolinę, tiek gydomąją terapiją. Reikšminiai žodžiai: p-reikšmė, Šapiro–Vilko W kriterijus, Hosmerio–Lemešou kriterijus, Voldo kriterijus. / Kidney transplantation is the actual measure when treating kidney diseases. Approximately 10 percents of adults are suffering from kidney diseases. One adult person from ten suffers from chronic kidney diseases. Lifes of 1,5 millions persons are supported by dialysis. They are waiting for kidney transplantation approximately seven years. The goal of this work is to determine the risk of rejection of kidney transplanted to the patients, possibilities of survival and the influence of therapy. The data were researched in the work, invoking Kaplan-Meyer survival analysis, Cox regression and the logistics regression, and so on. In total 604 studies have been researched with the transplanted kidney and it has been determined that the factors, influencing the kidney rejection are the age of the patient, weight and quantity of creatine in the beginning of the research. Kaplan-Meyer survival analysis has shown that the survival curves until kidney rejection do not depend upon the treatment. Cox regression model has revealed that the kidney rejection is related to the quantity of creatine in the beginning, weight and age. In addition, the research shows that the quantity of creatine has decreased at the end, when either treatment or control therapies were applied. Keywords: P-meaning, Shapiro & Wilk W test, Hosmer & Lemeshow test, Vold test.

Introdução: O fragmento C4d e os anticorpos anti-HLA doador específicos (DSA) são marcadores de resposta humoral em enxertos renais com rejeição, mas o papel das células B nesse processo ainda não é claro. Neste estudo foi avaliada a correlação entre C4d, DSA e células B de enxertos com disfunção e sua associação com aspectos morfológicos, função e sobrevida do rim transplantado. Material e Métodos: A marcação para C4d, células B CD20+ e plasmócitos CD138+ foi realizada por imunoperoxidase em biópsias por indicação de 110 receptores de transplante renal. Positividade para CD20 e CD138 foi definida por curva ROC (≥5 céls./mm2). O soro coletado concomitante a biópsia foi testado para DSA classe I e classe II. Estes marcadores foram correlacionados com dados clínicos e do transplante, a histopatologia de Banff e a evolução do rim transplantado. Resultados: Depósitos de C4d e DSA circulantes foram detectados em 100% e 70% dos pacientes com rejeição mediada por anticorpos (RMA) respectivamente, e nos casos de rejeição aguda celular (RAC) em 42% (p<0,001, vs. RMA) e 28% (p=0,003, vs. RMA). Estes dois marcadores correlacionaram-se positivamente (r=0,31, p=0,016). Houve correlação significativa entre DSA e plasmócitos CD138+ (r=0.32 p=0,006), mas as células CD20 e CD138 não se correlacionaram entre si. As células CD138+ predominaram na RMA, associadas com maior painel pré-transplante e DSA, mas não a C4d, e as células CD20+ predominaram na RAC e nas biópsias com fibrose intersticial/atrofia tubular, associadas a maior incompatibilidade HLA e a retransplantes. Pacientes com C4d+ tiveram pior função e sobrevida do enxerto em três anos de transplante, e aqueles com DSA+ uma pior 7 sobrevida do enxerto. Positividade para CD20 ou CD138 não foi preditiva da função ou sobrevida do enxerto. Na análise multivariada, somente o C4d foi fator de risco para perda do enxerto. Conclusões: Esses resultados confirmam o valor prognóstico do C4d e dos DSA para uma pior evolução do enxerto renal, e sugerem uma associação das células B CD20+ com parâmetros de rejeição celular e dos plasmócitos CD138+ com marcadores de resposta humoral. Entretanto, nesse estudo o infiltrado de células B na biópsia do enxerto não foi preditivo de uma pior evolução do rim transplantado. / Introduction: The fragment C4d and the donor specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA) are markers of the humoral response in rejecting kidney grafts, but the role of B cells in this process is still unclear. In this study we evaluated the correlation between C4d, DSA and B cells in dysfunctional grafts, and their association with morphological features, and graft function and survival. Material and Methods: The staining for C4d, CD20+ B cells and CD138+ plasmocytes were done by immunoperoxidase in 110 kidney graft biopsies for cause. Positivity for CD20 and CD138 were established by ROC curve (≥5 cells/mm2). Serum collected at biopsy were tested for anti-HLA class I and II antibodies. These markers were correlated with clinical and transplant characteristics, Banff histopathology and graft outcomes. Results: C4d deposits and circulating DSA were detected in 100% and 70% of the patients with antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) respectively, and in cases with acute cellular rejection (ACR) in 42% (p<0.001, vs. AMR) and 28% (p=0.003, vs. AMR), respectively. Both markers were positively correlated (r=0.31, p=0.016), and there was also a significant correlation between DSA and plasmocytes CD138+ (r=0.32 p=0.006). CD20 and C138 cells were not siginificantly correlated. Plasmocytes CD138+ predominated in AMR, and were associated with higher pre transplant PRA and DSA positivity, but not with C4d. CD20+ B cells were highly expressed in ACR and in biopsies with interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, in association with more HLA mismatches and re-transplants. Patients with C4d had poorer graft function and survival, and those 9 with DSA + also had a worse graft survival in three years of transplant. CD20 or CD138 cells were not predictive of graft outcomes. In multivariated analysis, only C4d remained a risk factor for graft loss. Conclusion: These results confirm the prognostic value of C4d and circulating DSA for a worse kidney graft outcome, and suggest an association of CD20+ B cells with parameters of cellular rejection whereas CD138+ plasmocytes correlated with markers of the humoral response. However, in this study the B cell infiltrate in graft biopsy was not predictive of adverse outcomes to the transplanted kidney.

A partir da década de 60, com a utilização do transplante renal em larga escala como terapia substitutiva para pacientes com falência do órgão, surgiu a preocupação quanto ao desenvolvimento do processo de rejeição do enxerto. Tal intercorrência, em geral, cursa com sinais e sintomas clínicos apenas quando o evento está bem estabelecido, ou mesmo quando lesões irreversíveis já se instalaram. Assim, é fundamental um acompanhamento rigoroso, visando detectar os casos subclínicos. O presente trabalho, a fim de fornecer novas ferramentas que auxiliem o diagnóstico precoce de rejeição do enxerto, avaliou a expressão imuno-histoquímica dos anticorpos CD3, CD5, CD20, CD68, CD25, FoxP3 e C4d em biópsias renais realizadas entre os anos de 2007 e 2009 em pacientes transplantados acompanhados pelo Serviço de Nefrologia do Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto, UERJ - RJ, correlacionando os resultados obtidos com o diagnóstico histológico. Para tal, as biópsias foram reavaliadas por três médicos patologistas que as classificaram, segundo Critérios de Banff 2007, quanto à presença ou não de rejeição do enxerto e seu tipo, aguda ou crônica. A partir de então, os blocos de parafina foram processados pela técnica Tissue Microarray for all (Pires, ARC. e cols.) e submetidos à imuno-histoquímica. A positividade dos marcadores foi avaliada e graduada e os resultados encontrados foram correlacionados, em um primeiro momento, com a presença ou ausência de rejeição. Posteriormente, os casos com diagnóstico histológico de rejeição tiveram seu perfil imuno-histoquímico analisado em função da positividade para C4d, marcador definidor de rejeição humoral. Neste momento, buscou-se averiguar se os anticorpos estudados seriam úteis em detectar, neste grupo, rejeição humoral e celular. Após a análise estatística, realizada pelo Teste Exato de Fisher, pode-se, então, concluir que o comportamento do marcador CD3 é capaz de inferir a presença de rejeição e que os anticorpos CD5 e CD25 permitem sugerir rejeição celular e humoral, respectivamente. Foi observado também que casos sem diagnóstico histológico de rejeição podem apresentar marcação para C4d em mais de 10% de seus capilares peritubulares. / From the 60's, with the use of renal transplantation on a large scale as replacement therapy for patients with organ failure, came out the concern about the development process of graft rejection. This intercurrence, generally, evolves with clinical signs and symptoms only when the event is well established, or even when irreversible damage has already been installed. So, is essential a close monitoring, looking forward to detect subclinical cases. The present work, in order to provide new tools that help in the early diagnosis of rejection of the graft, evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of CD3, CD5, CD20, CD68, CD25, FoxP3 and C4d in renal biopsies performed between the years 2007 and 2009 in transplanted patients accompanied by the Department of Nephrology of Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, UERJ - RJ, correlating the results with the histological diagnosis. To this, the biopsies were evaluated by three pathologists who classified them, according to Banff 2007 Criteria, for the presence or absence of graft rejection and its type, acute or chronic. Thereafter, the paraffin blocks were processed by Tissue Microarray for all technique (Pires, ARC. & cols.) and submitted to immunohistochemistry. The positivity of the markers was evaluated and graded and the results were correlated, at first, with the presence or absence of rejection. Later, cases with histological diagnosis of rejection had their immunohistochemical profile considered according to the positivity for C4d, a defining marker of humoral rejection. At this point, we sought to determine whether the antibodies would be useful in detecting, in this studied group, humoral and cellular rejection. After statistical analysis, performed by Fisher's Exact Test, it could be, therefore, concluded that the behavior of the CD3 marker is able to infer the presence of rejection and that CD5 and CD25 antibodies may suggest cellular and humoral rejection, respectively. It was also observed that cases without histological diagnosis of rejection may have markings for C4d in more than 10% of their peritubular capillaries.

A partir da década de 60, com a utilização do transplante renal em larga escala como terapia substitutiva para pacientes com falência do órgão, surgiu a preocupação quanto ao desenvolvimento do processo de rejeição do enxerto. Tal intercorrência, em geral, cursa com sinais e sintomas clínicos apenas quando o evento está bem estabelecido, ou mesmo quando lesões irreversíveis já se instalaram. Assim, é fundamental um acompanhamento rigoroso, visando detectar os casos subclínicos. O presente trabalho, a fim de fornecer novas ferramentas que auxiliem o diagnóstico precoce de rejeição do enxerto, avaliou a expressão imuno-histoquímica dos anticorpos CD3, CD5, CD20, CD68, CD25, FoxP3 e C4d em biópsias renais realizadas entre os anos de 2007 e 2009 em pacientes transplantados acompanhados pelo Serviço de Nefrologia do Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto, UERJ - RJ, correlacionando os resultados obtidos com o diagnóstico histológico. Para tal, as biópsias foram reavaliadas por três médicos patologistas que as classificaram, segundo Critérios de Banff 2007, quanto à presença ou não de rejeição do enxerto e seu tipo, aguda ou crônica. A partir de então, os blocos de parafina foram processados pela técnica Tissue Microarray for all (Pires, ARC. e cols.) e submetidos à imuno-histoquímica. A positividade dos marcadores foi avaliada e graduada e os resultados encontrados foram correlacionados, em um primeiro momento, com a presença ou ausência de rejeição. Posteriormente, os casos com diagnóstico histológico de rejeição tiveram seu perfil imuno-histoquímico analisado em função da positividade para C4d, marcador definidor de rejeição humoral. Neste momento, buscou-se averiguar se os anticorpos estudados seriam úteis em detectar, neste grupo, rejeição humoral e celular. Após a análise estatística, realizada pelo Teste Exato de Fisher, pode-se, então, concluir que o comportamento do marcador CD3 é capaz de inferir a presença de rejeição e que os anticorpos CD5 e CD25 permitem sugerir rejeição celular e humoral, respectivamente. Foi observado também que casos sem diagnóstico histológico de rejeição podem apresentar marcação para C4d em mais de 10% de seus capilares peritubulares. / From the 60's, with the use of renal transplantation on a large scale as replacement therapy for patients with organ failure, came out the concern about the development process of graft rejection. This intercurrence, generally, evolves with clinical signs and symptoms only when the event is well established, or even when irreversible damage has already been installed. So, is essential a close monitoring, looking forward to detect subclinical cases. The present work, in order to provide new tools that help in the early diagnosis of rejection of the graft, evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of CD3, CD5, CD20, CD68, CD25, FoxP3 and C4d in renal biopsies performed between the years 2007 and 2009 in transplanted patients accompanied by the Department of Nephrology of Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, UERJ - RJ, correlating the results with the histological diagnosis. To this, the biopsies were evaluated by three pathologists who classified them, according to Banff 2007 Criteria, for the presence or absence of graft rejection and its type, acute or chronic. Thereafter, the paraffin blocks were processed by Tissue Microarray for all technique (Pires, ARC. & cols.) and submitted to immunohistochemistry. The positivity of the markers was evaluated and graded and the results were correlated, at first, with the presence or absence of rejection. Later, cases with histological diagnosis of rejection had their immunohistochemical profile considered according to the positivity for C4d, a defining marker of humoral rejection. At this point, we sought to determine whether the antibodies would be useful in detecting, in this studied group, humoral and cellular rejection. After statistical analysis, performed by Fisher's Exact Test, it could be, therefore, concluded that the behavior of the CD3 marker is able to infer the presence of rejection and that CD5 and CD25 antibodies may suggest cellular and humoral rejection, respectively. It was also observed that cases without histological diagnosis of rejection may have markings for C4d in more than 10% of their peritubular capillaries.

Introdução: O fragmento C4d e os anticorpos anti-HLA doador específicos (DSA) são marcadores de resposta humoral em enxertos renais com rejeição, mas o papel das células B nesse processo ainda não é claro. Neste estudo foi avaliada a correlação entre C4d, DSA e células B de enxertos com disfunção e sua associação com aspectos morfológicos, função e sobrevida do rim transplantado. Material e Métodos: A marcação para C4d, células B CD20+ e plasmócitos CD138+ foi realizada por imunoperoxidase em biópsias por indicação de 110 receptores de transplante renal. Positividade para CD20 e CD138 foi definida por curva ROC (≥5 céls./mm2). O soro coletado concomitante a biópsia foi testado para DSA classe I e classe II. Estes marcadores foram correlacionados com dados clínicos e do transplante, a histopatologia de Banff e a evolução do rim transplantado. Resultados: Depósitos de C4d e DSA circulantes foram detectados em 100% e 70% dos pacientes com rejeição mediada por anticorpos (RMA) respectivamente, e nos casos de rejeição aguda celular (RAC) em 42% (p<0,001, vs. RMA) e 28% (p=0,003, vs. RMA). Estes dois marcadores correlacionaram-se positivamente (r=0,31, p=0,016). Houve correlação significativa entre DSA e plasmócitos CD138+ (r=0.32 p=0,006), mas as células CD20 e CD138 não se correlacionaram entre si. As células CD138+ predominaram na RMA, associadas com maior painel pré-transplante e DSA, mas não a C4d, e as células CD20+ predominaram na RAC e nas biópsias com fibrose intersticial/atrofia tubular, associadas a maior incompatibilidade HLA e a retransplantes. Pacientes com C4d+ tiveram pior função e sobrevida do enxerto em três anos de transplante, e aqueles com DSA+ uma pior 7 sobrevida do enxerto. Positividade para CD20 ou CD138 não foi preditiva da função ou sobrevida do enxerto. Na análise multivariada, somente o C4d foi fator de risco para perda do enxerto. Conclusões: Esses resultados confirmam o valor prognóstico do C4d e dos DSA para uma pior evolução do enxerto renal, e sugerem uma associação das células B CD20+ com parâmetros de rejeição celular e dos plasmócitos CD138+ com marcadores de resposta humoral. Entretanto, nesse estudo o infiltrado de células B na biópsia do enxerto não foi preditivo de uma pior evolução do rim transplantado. / Introduction: The fragment C4d and the donor specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA) are markers of the humoral response in rejecting kidney grafts, but the role of B cells in this process is still unclear. In this study we evaluated the correlation between C4d, DSA and B cells in dysfunctional grafts, and their association with morphological features, and graft function and survival. Material and Methods: The staining for C4d, CD20+ B cells and CD138+ plasmocytes were done by immunoperoxidase in 110 kidney graft biopsies for cause. Positivity for CD20 and CD138 were established by ROC curve (≥5 cells/mm2). Serum collected at biopsy were tested for anti-HLA class I and II antibodies. These markers were correlated with clinical and transplant characteristics, Banff histopathology and graft outcomes. Results: C4d deposits and circulating DSA were detected in 100% and 70% of the patients with antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) respectively, and in cases with acute cellular rejection (ACR) in 42% (p<0.001, vs. AMR) and 28% (p=0.003, vs. AMR), respectively. Both markers were positively correlated (r=0.31, p=0.016), and there was also a significant correlation between DSA and plasmocytes CD138+ (r=0.32 p=0.006). CD20 and C138 cells were not siginificantly correlated. Plasmocytes CD138+ predominated in AMR, and were associated with higher pre transplant PRA and DSA positivity, but not with C4d. CD20+ B cells were highly expressed in ACR and in biopsies with interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, in association with more HLA mismatches and re-transplants. Patients with C4d had poorer graft function and survival, and those 9 with DSA + also had a worse graft survival in three years of transplant. CD20 or CD138 cells were not predictive of graft outcomes. In multivariated analysis, only C4d remained a risk factor for graft loss. Conclusion: These results confirm the prognostic value of C4d and circulating DSA for a worse kidney graft outcome, and suggest an association of CD20+ B cells with parameters of cellular rejection whereas CD138+ plasmocytes correlated with markers of the humoral response. However, in this study the B cell infiltrate in graft biopsy was not predictive of adverse outcomes to the transplanted kidney.