The Lewis Antigen System and Its Relevance for Clinical Transplantation

The potential role of antibodies against minor blood group antigens in renal transplantation

“…Because of its precursor homology to the ABH glycoproteins, Lewis antigens were the first to be recognised as being important in the renal transplant setting. Early studies showed a difference in graft survival between Le positive and negative recipients, with Le a-b+ recipients having significantly better survival than those who were Le a-bor Le a+b-, an association which was preserved even when HLA matching was considered [17][18][19]. In a large retrospective study of 1,111 first renal allograft recipients, Gratama et al reported no difference in 1 year allograft survival between Lewis-negative and Lewis-positive recipients.…”