KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION IN RHESUS MONKEYS

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Abstract
The effect of matching for D/DR antigens and of 3 pretransplant blood transfusions on kidney allograft survival was investigated in unrelated rheusus monkeys treated with standard immunosuppression. A control group consisting of host-donor combinations mismatched for 1 or 2 DR antigens (mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) positive) and not receiving transfusions showed a MST [mean survival time] of 13 .+-. 1.2 days with a range of 9-22 days. The administration of pretransplant blood transfusions led to a MST of 28 .+-. 5.4 days with 5 of 12 animals showing survival times of > 22 days (i.e., a bimodal distribution of survival times). Recipients matched with their donors for 2 DR antigens and given transfusions showed an even better MST of 39 .+-. 4.0 days. Under these conditions, MLC-negative combinations fared slightly better than MLC-positive one; only 1 of 10 animals showed a survival time of < 22 days and kidney function in the 1st weeks after transplantation was significantly better. When MLC reactivity between host and donor before and after the transfusions was compared, it was possible to predict to some extent the eventual fate of an allograft; increased MLC reactivity predicted relatively short survival times, decreased MLC reactivity relatively long times (P < 0.01).