The Role of B Cells in Kidney Allograft Dysfunction

The purpose of this study is to understand the role of specific B cells in activating or
repressing an anti-allograft immune responses after kidney transplantation. This study aims
to address two major challenges in kidney transplantation: 1. to guide physicians when
immunosuppressive drugs are weaned, and 2. to identify patients who are at risk or in the
process of developing antibody-mediated rejection. In this study, blood will be collected
from kidney transplant patients during different timepoints, prior to and after their
transplant. Knowledge gained from study findings will be used to develop therapeutic
strategies to prevent antibody-mediated rejection, which is a major cause of long-term graft
loss in kidney transplant patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Ability to understand and willingness to sign the written informed consent form (ICF).
For pediatric patients, a parent or legal guardian must sign ICF

- Either a Kidney or Liver transplant patient: 1) on the waitlist or 2) transplanted

- Healthy volunteer samples collected to use as the control group for statistical
validity

Exclusion Criteria:

- Inability to make all of the required long-term post-transplant visits.

- Females who are pregnant or nursing a child

- Liver patients with hepatitis C virus