MIXED LYMPHOCYTE CULTURE RESPONSES

Abstract

One-way and 2-way mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) between 65 [human] cadaveric renal allograft recipients (R) and their specific-donor (D) and pooled 3rd-party (P) cells were measured using a 5-day assay. There was no correlation between the results expressed as stimulation index, absolute counts or the relative response and graft survival in transfused allograft recipients. Nontransfused recipients whose 1 graft failed had significantly higher responses to P, but not D, than those with successful grafts. The 1-way MLR to P of 61 cadaveric graft recipients and 52 potential recipients were measured. No correlation was found between the magnitude of the response and the number of transfusions, time since the last transfusion or peak cytotoxic antibody production. A standard 5-day MLR apparently has little clinical value in predicting the results of cadaveric transplantation in HLA-A, B-mismatched recipient-donor pairs. Any overall effect of transfusions on the MLR was not demonstrated, suggesting that this may not be the mechanism by which transfusions exert their effect on graft survival.