Anti-HLA antibodies after cryopreserved allograft valve implantation does not predict valve dysfunction at three-year follow up

Abstract

Background and aim of the study: As the cause of allograft heart valve degeneration is poorly understood, the study aim was to investigate the host antibody response to allograft valve implantation. Methods: Sera were obtained from 92 recipients of allograft heart valves (61 pulmonary, 31 aortic). Sera were tested for anti-HLA class I antibodies by ELISA and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) methods, and anti-HLA class II antibodies by ELISA. Specificities of recipient anti-HLA class I antibodies were defined by standard CDC testing against a panel of T lymphocytes from 80 blood donors. Donor valve HLA typing was performed on stored donor DNA samples using molecular methods. The presen..