This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wilkes, D. S. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Wilkes, D. S.

Lung Transplantation: Opportunities for Research and Clinical Advancement

We would like to thank Dr. Magro and colleagues for their letter regarding the Summary Statement from the National Institutes of Health–sponsored meeting regarding the scientific and clinical advancements in lung transplantation (1). The authors fully agree with your suggestion that humoral immunity has a role in the pathogenesis of lung transplant rejection. Moreover, the antibodies are not always related to HLA antigens as suggested by Magro and coworkers and confirmed in their prior studies. Indeed, the role of non-HLA antibodies, including autoantibodies, in the pathogenesis of the rejection response is an area of transplantation medicine in need of more investigation such that specific targets may be identified for therapeutic intervention.

David S. Wilkes

Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana

FOOTNOTES

Conflict of Interest Statement: D.S.W. does not have a financial relationship with a commercial entity that has an interest in the subject of this manuscript.

REFERENCES

1. Wilkes DS, Egan TM, Reynolds HY. Lung transplantation: opportunities for research and clinical advancement. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2005;172:944–955.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wilkes, D. S. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Wilkes, D. S.