HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-DR matching reduces the rate of corneal allograft rejection

Abstract

Clinical results confirm theories developed to explain the function of the HLA (MHC) receptor. The closest possible donor-recipient match of HLA antigens based on broad level typing significantly reduces the rate of allograft rejection and thus improves the prognosis for long-term transparency of corneal grafts in both high- and low-risk patients.

FTY720 in Corneal Concordant Xenotransplantation

“…However, the four-year survival rate is relatively poor, and may be less than the equivalent rate for some vascularized grafts (2,3). In addition, there are several situations in which the prognosis for graft survival remains unsatisfactory, including corneal neovascularization, active inflammation, or a previous history of corneal graft rejection, all considered to be "high risk" grafts (2,4). Furthermore, despite the fact that corneal grafts are the most frequently transplanted tissue (1), there is a continuing shortage of donor material.…”

The Immunobiology of Corneal Transplantation

“…While some early studies (75)(76)(77) showed a beneficial effect of HLA matching in patients considered to be at high risk of corneal graft rejection, two large, prospective randomized trials found either no significant effect, or a slight adverse effect of matching (78,79). More recent studies from Europe in which modern molecular methods of typing were used showed a clear beneficial effect of HLA matching in high-risk patients (80,81). A randomized, multicenter trial of the influence of matching in corneal transplantation is now being performed in Bristol.…”

Xenocorneal transplantation

“…As donor-recipient human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching reduced human allocorneal graft rejection [16], and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen on corneal allografts was reported to be involved in mice [17], the role of pig MHC may also be important in xenocorneal transplantation. The crossreactivity of human allo-antibody or allo-T cells for pig MHC antigen is still controversial but may not be a major barrier.…”