The Role of Human Minor Histocompatibility Antigens in Graft Failure: Α Mini-review

This brief review will summarise our present knowledge on the possible role of human minor histocompatibility antigens (mHags) in graft failure. Following a short introduction on the possible nature of human mHags some in vitro studies dealing with graft failure and rejection will be discussed. To understand the possible impact of mHag disparity between organ donor and recipient on the outcome of organ and bone marrow (BM) grafting, Information on their tissue expression is essential; hence a summary is given on the mHag tissue distribution studies performed so far. Finally, we will present our preliminary studies on the expression of mHag on human corneal tissue.