Significance of HLA-D/DR matching in renal transplantation

A low mixed-lymphocyte-culture response, indicating matching for HLA-D, was associated with a relatively good chance of graft survival in 62 recipients of renal transplants from living relatives mismatched for one or two HLA A and/or B antigens. In 96 cadaveric transplants prospectively typed for HLA-DR antigens, compatibility for these antigens improved the prognosis, irrespective of matching for HLA A and B antigens. In cadaveric transplants, a positive B-cell cross-match test before transplantation tended to predict inferior graft survival.