Renal transplant rejection. Transient immunodominance of HLA mismatches.

ABSTRACT

Many studies have shown long-term benefits of HLA matching in kidney transplantation. By examining rates of graft loss within consecutive posttransplant intervals, using data from the UK Transplant Service, we show that the long-term benefits of HLA matching are due to reduction of the graft failure rate within five months of transplantation. After 5-months, HLA-A,B,DR matching appears to have little impact on graft loss. We suggest that graft losses after 5 months may be attributable to non-HLA targets.