# Utility of virtual crossmatch in deceased donor kidney transplantation

> **NIH NIH K08** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2021 · $162,031

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
CANDIDATE: This proposal is for a K08 Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award for
Dr. Puttarajappa, a Transplant Nephrologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He has completed
a Master of Science in Clinical Research and aims to develop into a health services researcher with skills to
apply observational data, mathematical modeling and decision analysis to kidney transplantation (KT). Under
the mentorship of experts at the University of Pittsburgh, he will pursue courses in survey research,
epidemiology, health policy and mathematical modeling in health care. These will allow him to complete his
proposed research aims and facilitate transition to an independent investigator. Dr. Puttarajappa will be
guided by experts in KT outcomes research (Dr. Hariharan), mathematical modeling and decision analysis
(Drs. Kenneth Smith and Mark Roberts), and survey methodology and donor research (Dr. Howard
Degenholtz). RESEARCH: Broadly, his aims are to investigate the Utility of Virtual Crossmatch (VXM) in
deceased donor KT (DDKT). The 2014 kidney allocation system (KAS) gave high priority to highly sensitized
(i.e. higher calculated PRA) waitlisted candidates and allowed for wider sharing of kidney donor profile index
>85 kidneys, resulting in increased shipping of organs, higher non-local KT surgeries and increased cold
ischemia time (CIT). To assess donor-recipient compatibility and avoid immediate transplant rejection, a
physical cell-based crossmatch (XM) is routinely performed prior to KT. VXM is a technique that compares
donor human leukocyte antigen(HLA) typing and recipient HLA antibody profile to predict physical XM
results. VXM has the potential to decrease CIT in DDKT, which will reduce delayed graft function, rejection,
and improve graft and patient survival. Reducing CIT could also reduce organ discard and improve organ
utilization. Specific AIMS for this proposal are 1) Evaluate current crossmatch practices in deceased donor
KT among different donor and recipient subgroups, along with assessing perceptions of transplant
professionals regarding VXM, 2) Explore if use of VXM is associated with lower CIT and DGF, and if this is
different before and after the introduction of KAS and, and 3) Explore if routine application of VXM prior to
DDKT has the potential to improve patient outcomes. These aims will be achieved using a combination of
surveys, analysis of data from the United Network of Organ Sharing, and mathematical modeling. His research
will identify situations where a VXM will be sufficient to proceed to transplantation without a physical XM.
Additionally, findings on national crossmatch practice variation and perceptions of the transplant community
towards VXM will help direct future research, changes to histocompatibility protocols and health policy. This
award will allow Dr. Puttarajappa to achieve the skills necessary to conduct independent clinical research in KT
while simultaneously ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10180953
- **Project number:** 5K08DK119576-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Chethan Puttarajappa
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $162,031
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-01 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10180953

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10180953, Utility of virtual crossmatch in deceased donor kidney transplantation (5K08DK119576-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10180953. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*