PATTERNS OF DONOR-TYPE MICROCHIMERISM AFTER HEART-TRANSPLANTATION

Allogeneic microchimerism of donor-type has been demonstrated in stabl e patients in the long-term after organ transplantation. We have analy sed microchimerism in shin and blood of 47 heart-transplanted patients after transplantation with polymerase-chain-reaction amplification sp ecific for donor HLA-DRB1. Microchimerism was detectable in 50% of the patients in the first 6 months, in 100% between 6 months and 2 years, and in 58% in the third postoperative year or later. The state of chi merism was not related to acute or chronic rejections. Patterns of mic rochimerism after heart transplantation may be dynamic, but any associ ation with clinical and immunological variables remains to be elucidat ed.