Role of Human Leukocyte Antigen, Donor-Specific Antibodies, and Their Impact in Renal Transplantation

Introduction. The clinical significance of the presence of antibody against human leukocyte antigen (HLAb) and donor-specific antibodies (DSAb) prior to renal transplantation remains unclear. This study was done to assess the impact of HLAb and DSAb on graft function, rejection episodes, and graft survival in renal transplantation. Methods. The Luminex (Luminex, Austin, Texas, United States) is a solid-phase assay using micro-spheres and it is more sensitive at detecting human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies than conventional tests. This retrospective analysis involved 141 consecutive renal transplant recipients between May 2007 and 2009 and with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. Results. Luminex was positive for HLA class I in 35 and negative in 106; similarly class II positivity was noted in 23 and negative in 118. The DSAb were positive in 33 and negative in 108 recipients. The HLA class I, class II, and DSA-positive groups showed no difference in renal function assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 2 years (52 +/- 29 vs 52 +/- 22; 56 +/- 29 vs 51 +/- 29; 48 +/- 18 vs 53 +/- 19; P = not significant [NS]). But rejection episodes at 1 year were significantly high in HLA class I and DSAb-positive group (17/35 vs 27/106; P = .019 and 16/33 vs 29/108; P = .035). The rejection episodes in the HLA class II-positive group did not show any difference when compared with the negative group (9/23 vs 40/118; P = .63). Graft survival was not affected by positivity to any of these antibodies at 2 years. Conclusion. Having HLA class I, class II, and DSAb does not have any influence on early and intermediate graft function. The HLA class I and DSAb positivity increases rejection episodes within 1 year in renal transplantation. Graft survival was not affected by class I, class II, and DSAb at 2 years.