Influence of HLA matching on kidney graft survival

The influence of matching for the whole HLA haplotype as well as for the separate HLA antigens controlled by this region, was studied in a material of 98 living related and 178 cadaveric first transplants. Graft survival corresponded closely to the degree of HLA haplotype disparity between donor and recipient. Furthermore, graft survival was less in combinations being incompatible for the serologically defined HL-A and -B antigens as compared to compatible combinations. A weak MLC response between donor and recipient, even in the presence of HL-A and -B disparity, might signify prolonged graft survival.