PCR-Based Detection for Microchimerism and Graft Outcome in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Microchimerism (MC) is the presence of a small amount of foreign cells or DNA within a person’s circulation or tissues. In transplant recipients it seems to be critical for the development and maintenance of immunological tolerance. Nevertheless, natural and/or iatrogenic MC can also be acquired prior to transplantation, deriving from pregnancy or blood transfusion. Aim of this study was to analyse the possible influence of donor MC after kidney transplantation for possible tolerance mechanism purposes.