The relevance of anti-A549 antibody in adult renal transplantation.

Sera from 228 individuals were examined for cytotoxic antibodies against the cultured lung epithelial cell line A549. All samples were screened by the conventional complement mediated cytotoxicity assay. The pattern of the anti-A549 reactivity in normal volunteers (n = 12) was 42% negative, 30% weak positive and 25% strong positive. The overall incidence of anti-A549 antibody in chronic renal failure patients (n = 84) was 7% weak positive and 7% strong positive. In 132 patients with a functioning renal allograft the frequency of anti-A549 reactivity increased (19% weak positive, 27% strong positive) and was comparable to that found in normal controls. The presence of anti-A549 antibody did not correlate with panel antibody allosensitization, cytomegalovirus status, age, mode of dialysis, rejection episodes, or with subsequent graft survival. We conclude that in adult renal transplantation the presence of anti-A549 antibody is not a contra-indication to transplantation.