title: The impact of HLA-A matching on long-term survival of renal allografts.
abstract: An important contribution of HLA-A antigen matching in renal transplantation was reported initially, hut later publications showed a minor or absent role. We analyzed the contribution of HLA-A locus matching to graft survival in 17,672 first renal transplants from unrelated, nonliving donors. We show that an independent HLA-A matching effect still exists. Due to its relative weakness and late appearance, large numbers and longer follow-up periods are required. The HLA-A matching effect is a significant factor in first renal allograft survival up to 6 years after transplantation, with an increasing effect over time. This is in contrast to the strong, short-lived, effects of HLA-DR and -B matching, which can only be detected up to 6 months and 2 years after transplantation, respectively. A clear additive beneficial effect of HLA-A matching is shown in the group without B and DR mismatches. Therefore, prospective matching for the HLA-A antigens remains important for renal allograft survival.
authors.affiliation: Eurotransplant Foundation, University Department of Medical Statistics, University Hospital, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Zantvoort
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: D'Amaro
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Persijn
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Schreuder
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Van Rood
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thorogood
mesh_terms: D006085:Graft Survival; D015234:HLA-A Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
chemical_list: D015234:HLA-A Antigens; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens