The Road to HLA Antibody Evaluation: Do Not Rely on MFI

H. C. Sullivan, R. S. Liwski, R. A. Bray, H. M. Gebel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Technological advances in HLA laboratory testing undoubtedly improved the sensitivity and specificity of HLA antibody assessment but not without introducing a set of challenges regarding data interpretation. In particular, the introduction of solid-phase single-antigen bead (SAB) antibody assessment brought the belief that mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) was a quantifiable value. As such, MFI levels heavily influenced HLA antibody reporting, monitoring, and clinical practice. However, given that SAB testing was neither intended for nor approved to be quantifiable, is the use of MFI in current clinical and laboratory practice valid? What, if anything, does this numerical value actually reveal about the pathogenic potential of the antibody? What are the pitfalls and caveats associated with reporting MFI? Herein, we travel the road to HLA antibody assessment and explore the reliability of MFI values to make clinical decisions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1455-1461
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation
Volume17
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Transplantation
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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