HLA-DP ANTIBODIES IN PATIENTS AWAITING RENAL-TRANSPLANTATION

Sera from 505 patients awaiting renal transplantation with known panel -reactive cytotoxic antibody (PRA) status were tested for HLA-DP antib odies of the IgG class by means of the monoclonal antibody immobilizat ion of leukocyte antigens (MAILA) technique, The overall incidence of HLA-DP antibodies was 7.3 %. A positive HLA-DP antibody status correla ted only weakly (r = 0.23) with a positive cytotoxic antibody status. After retrospective analysis, patients with HLA-DP antibodies prior to retransplantation revealed a significantly (P < 0.025) higher graft f unction rate than HLA-DP-negative patients, One patient was found to p ossess IgG HLA-DP autoantibodies prior to transplantation: thus far, h is graft has been functioning for more than 2 years.