ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Association of de novo human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene-A (MICA) antibodies and proteinuria with graft survival 5 years after renal transplantation. De novo presence of HLA and MICA antibodies after renal transplantation is associated with poor graft survival. Proteinuria after transplantation is also considered a risk factor for premature graft loss. In this study, we investigated the association of de novo HLA and MICA antibodies on proteinuria after renal transplantation and the association of proteinuria and de novo antibodies with graft survival. METHODS: We enrolled 275 patients without preexisting HLA and MICA antibodies followed for >5 years after renal transplantation. All donor organs were from living-related donors or from an organ donation program. HLA and MICA antibodies were detected by the Luminex method. Patients with proteinuria (>150 mg/d) underwent intermittent 24-hour proteinuria examination. RESULTS: The frequencies of de novo HLA and MICA antibody 5 years after transplantation were 25.8% and 12%, respectively. In total, 26.5% of patients had proteinuria at the 5-year follow-up. De novo HLA antibody was associated with increased proteinuria after transplantation (relative risk, 3.12). HLA antibody and proteinuria were both associated with poor 5-year graft survival (P = .027 and P = .006, respectively). CONCLUSION: De novo HLA and MICA antibodies and proteinuria after renal transplantation are all associated with poor graft survival. De novo HLA antibody is independent risk factor for posttransplant proteinuria, and proteinuria affects the association of de novo antibodies with decreased graft survival after transplantation.
