Beneficial influence of matching for D/DR antigens and treatment with cyclosporin-A on kidney graft survival in transfused rhesus monkeys.

The influence of matching for D/DR antigens and treatment with Cyclosporin-A (Cy-A) was investigated in rhesus monkeys given pretransplant blood transfusions. It was observed that the combination of D/DR matching and transfusions led to a higher percentage of animals with prolonged graft survival as well as a better kidney function in the early post-transplant period than was achieved with transfusions alone. Regarding the possible interference of Cy-A with the beneficial blood transfusion effect, it was found that transfused animals given Cy-A had survival times which were as good as those of transfused recipients without Cy-A or, sometimes, even slightly better.