Increased hyaluronan in acutely rejecting human kidney grafts.

The glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan is not only involved in cellular differentiation and migration but may also play a role in several inflammatory diseases. We have previously demonstrated an increased local production of hyaluronan in chronically rejected kidneys and the correspondingly affected renal vessels. In this report, we demonstrate the presence of hyaluronan in acutely rejecting kidneys.

Safety aspects and diagnostic findings of serial renal allograft biopsies, obtained by an automatic technique with a midsize needle.

Percutaneous biopsy is an important diagnostic procedure in evaluating the renal allograft with compromised function. Graft losses and haemorrhagic complication are major risks. To minimize these problems we used a midsize TruCut needle, controlled by an automatic firing device (Biopty-Cut), fixed to an ultrasound guidance system.