Human leukocyte antigen mismatch and circulating donor-specific antibodies predict graft loss after kidney transplantation: A retrospective study from Campania region - Italy

Abstract

Donor-specific antibodies (DSA) are an established biomarker predicting antibody-mediated rejection, as the leading cause of graft loss after kidney transplantation. Furthermore, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching offers a more precise assessment of donor-recipient HLA compatibility and may prevent more effectively sensitization against allograft tissue. Indeed, increased number of HLA mismatches (MM) is significantly associated with a higher risk of immunological rejection, de novo DSA (dnDSA) development, and graft failure. Over the last decade, a comprehensive approach to optimize kidney matching and monitor transplant recipients for acute and chronic graft dysfunction was the goal for the success of the kidney transplantation. In our long-term retrospective study, we have found that pre- and post-transplantation HLA antibodies were significantly associated with de novo dnDSA occurrence (pre-transplant HLA Class I antibodies p = 0.039p < 0.05; pre-transplant HLA Class II antibodies p = 0.011p < 0.05; post-transplant HLA Class I non-DSA antibodies p < 0.01; post-transplant HLA Class II non-DSA antibodies p < 0.01). In addition, HLA MM at locus A (hazard ratio (HR), 2.44; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.15-5.16; p = 0.01 hazard ratio (HR), 2.33; 95 % confidence interval (CI):1.132-4.805; p = 0.02) and DSA Class I (HR, 10.24; 95 % CI: 1.44-72.62; p = 0.02 HR, 5.539; 95 % CI: 1.264-24.272; p = 0.02) appeared to be significant predictors of poorer graft survival. Our investigation demonstrates the long medium-term experience of DSA development occurrence in patients with after kidney transplantation in Campania region - Italy.

Keywords: Donor specific antibody; HLA matching; Human leukocyte antigen; Kidney transplantation; anti-HLA antibodies.