Does MICA influence acute rejection in kidney transplantation?
MHC class 1-related chain A (MICA) has been reported to be recognized by specific antibodies in the sera of transplanted patients, and it may be a target molecule in allograft rejection. MICA was originally pointed out to be an HLA-related polymorphic gene, the product of which may be recognized by a subpopulation of intestinal gamma delta T-cells and may play a role in the activation of a subpopulation of natural killer cells. Although their association with chronic rejection has been demonstrated before, there are few reports of any relation with acute rejection. We encountered a possible case of MICA-related acute early rejection. The recipient was a 25-year-old female; the original disease was IgA nephropathy, and the hemodialysis period was 12 months. She underwent ABO-compatible living-related renal transplantation from her mother. The HLA type was A24, A31, B7, B52, DR1, and DR15 in the donor and A31, A33, B7, B44, DR1, and DR12 in the recipient. A pre-operative direct cross-mat
