G. Fernandez-fresnedo et al., Differences in anti-CREG antibody formation between transplanted and nontransplanted renal patients, TRANSPLANT, 67(8), 1999, pp. 1188-1190
Background The aim of this study was investigation of the HLA-I cross-react
ive group (CREG)-specific antibodies (Abs) in sera from patients with a fai
led renal transplant and from nontransplanted patients.
Methods. A total of 5292 sera from 570 patients awaiting kidney transplanta
tion were screened for the presence of HLA-I CREG-specific Abs, Patients wh
o had never received a transplant (group A), and those with a previous tran
splant and Abs either not related (group B) or related to donor specificiti
es (group C) were studied. A further division was made for Abs directed aga
inst specificities either included in (intra-CREG) or not included in patie
nts' HLA-CREG (extra-CREG).
Results. Twelve of 24 (50%) Abs produced in response to mismatched donor HL
A specificities after a failed graft were intra-CREG Abs, compared to 7 of
39 (18%) Abs that were not transplant-related.
Conclusions. Renal grafts showed a stronger immunogenicity than other sourc
es of allosensitization. Our data also suggest that CREG matching may not b
e useful for renal allocation.