Peripheral microchimerism in long-term cadaveric-kidney allograft recipients

• Published in: The Lancet (British edition) Vol. 343; no. 8911; pp. 1468 - 1469
• Main Authors: Suberbielle, C., Caillat-Zucman, S., Bach, J-F., Legendre, C., Noël, L-H., Kreis, H., Bodemer, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier Ltd 11.06.1994; Lancet; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching; DNA - analysis; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gene Amplification; Genotype; Graft Survival - immunology; HLA Antigens - genetics; Humans; Immune Tolerance - genetics; Kidney transplantation; Kidney Transplantation - immunology; Kidneys; Male; Medical research; Medical sciences; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the urinary system; Transplantation Chimera - genetics; Transplantation, Homologous; Transplants & implants; Human; Prevention; Rejection; Urinary system disease; Treatment; Surgery; Treatment efficiency; Complication; Homotransplantation; Long term; Kidney
• ISSN: 0140-6736; 1474-547X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(94)92583-6

Microchimerism after allogeneic organ transplantation may be a mechanism for induction of donor-specific graft acceptance. However, the frequency of chimerism and its relevance in long-term tolerance are uncertain. We studied 15 long-surviving (more than 20 years) cadaveric-kidney transplant recipients for the systemic presence of donor alleles with allele-specific genomic amplification of DRB1 and H-Y loci. Microchimerism was observed in 1 case in peripheral blood and in 4 cases in skin. Chimerism and number of HLA alleles shared by donor and recipient were not correlated. This low frequency of microchimerism in long-term kidney allograft recipients raises doubts about a major participation of chimerism in donor-specific tolerance.