OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A (MICA) antibodies on acute rejection (AR) and renal function in early stage after renal transplantation.

METHODSA total of 197 renal transplant candidates admitted in Nanfang Hospital in 2009-2010 were enrolled in this study. MICA antibodies and their specificity were detected in all the patients, and 139 patients were followed up for early acute rejection (AR) and graft function after transplantation.

RESULTSMICA antibodies were positive before transplantation in 45 candidates (22.84%). Eleven specific MICA antibodies were identified, among which the frequency of MICA019 antibody (65.7%) was significantly higher than that of MICA015 (8.6%) and MICA017 (8.6%) (P<0.01). Eighteen patients with positive MICA antibodies were single-specific and 17 were polyspecific (51.4% vs 48.6% ). Of the 139 patients undergoing renal transplantation, 39 developed early AR (28.1%). Of the 45 candidates positive for MICA antibodies, 38 received renal transplantation and early AR occurred in 14 of them (36.8%); 101 of 152 candidates negative for MICA antibodies underwent renal transplantation, and 25 experienced early AR (24.8%).

CONCLUSIONMICA019 antibody is a frequent MICA antibody possibly due to the high frequency MICA019 gene in Chinese population.