Evolution of HLA antibody detection: technology emulating biology

New technological advances in the field of histocompatibility have provided an approach to systematically address the specificity of positive lymphocyte crossmatches. These approaches can now confirm whether a positive crossmatch is (or is not) due to class I and/or class II antibodies directed against donor HLA antigens. The information gained from the application of these sensitive and specific technologies can be used to predict crossmatch results for highly sensitized patients. In summary, these emerging technologies have provided the tools to reliably determine the clinical relevance of a positive lymphocyte crossmatch.