Transplantation immunity

Bone marrow transplantation Immune globulin (intravenous [IV])2 500 mg/kg IV on days 7 and 2 prior to transplantation and then once weekly through day 90 after transplantation. Prophylaxis to decrease the risk of infection, interstitial pneumonia, and acute graft-versus-host disease in... 

Clinical presentation of infection is variable and depends on the type and site of infection, type of transplant, time after transplantation, immune status of the host, and dose and duration of immunosuppressive therapy. 

Goldman M, Druet P. The TH1/TH2 concept and its relevance to renal disorders and transplantation immunity. Nephrol Dial Transplant 1995 10 1282-1284. 

Organ or tissue transplantation Immune globulin Adjunctive immunosuppression... 

Passive transfer of transplantation immunity. 1. Tritiated lymphoid cells. II. 

Another reaction of transplantation immunity mediated by T lymphoc5 es is the GVH reaction which may be evaluated quantitatively by the spleen weight increase (Spleen Index) produced by the injection of allogeneic lymphocytes in... 

Interferons (lENs) (52,53), a family of species-specific vertebrate proteins, confer nonspecific resistance to a broad range of viral infections, affect cell proliferation, and modulate immune responses. AH three principal interferons, a-interferon (lEN-a) produced by blood leucocytes, P-interferon (lEN-P) by fibroblasts, and y-interferon (lEN-y) by lymphocytes, also have antiviral activity. The abiUty of interferons to inhibit growth of transplantable and carcinogen-induced tumor led to research showing the direct antiproliferative and indirect immune-mediated antitumor activities (see Chemotherapeutics, anticancer). IENs have been found to be efficacious in certain malignancies and viral infections, eg, hairy cell leukemia (85% response) and basal cell carcinoma (86% response). However, the interferons do have adverse side effects (54). 

Immune defense mechanisms can become deleterious for an individual when they are not controlled properly. Then they can cause disease. In such situations therapy is aimed to dampen immune reactions. Important examples are sqttic shock, allergy, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Also, the success of organ transplantation... 

Immunosuppressive agents (immunosuppressants) are drugs that attenuate immune reactions. An application is indicated in case our immune system reacts inadequately leading to serious diseases or normal immune reactions are unwanted, e.g., following transplantations. 

The first mouse monoclonal antibody specific for human CD3 was produced in 1979 and named orthoclone OKT3. Aside from its use in the laboratory, OKT3 became the first anti-CD3 antibody to be utilized in transplantation medicine, but its wider application was hampered by its immunogenic and mitogenic properties (reviewed in [6]). Consequently, humanized and engineered anti-CD3 antibodies were developed to circumvent these limitations (Table 1). Since T cells and the TCR are involved in many immunological diseases, it is not surprising that the application of CD3 antibodies is not restricted to the field of transplantation. For example, CD3 antibodies are tested in clinical studies of diseases such as autoimmune diabetes (type 1 diabetes), immune-mediated inflammatory arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease [7]. 

Decreases the production of lymphocytes and eosinophils in the blood by causing atrophy of the thymus gland blocks the release of cytokines, resulting in a decreased performance of T and B monocytes in the immune response. (This action, coupled with the anti-inflammatory action, makes the corticosteroids useful in delaying organ rejection in patients with transplants.)... 

A broad and vigorons T cell response generally accompanies elimination of HBV as well as HCV infection. By contrast, patients with chronic hepatitis B or C tend to have late, transient, or narrow T cell responses. In a long-term follow-up of HBV-infected patients receiving HPC transplants from HBV-immune individuals, 20 of 31 recipients cleared their HBV infection (Hui et al. 2005). In principle, these results encourage the development of adoptive T cell transfer strategies for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis. However, it is still controversial whether induction of an efficient T cell response is the cause or the consequence of viral clearance. Furthermore, T cell responses do not only contribute to virus control but also to disease pathology (Rehermann and Nascimbeni 2005). 

The science of immunology not only encompasses the body s immune responses to bacteria and viruses but is extensively involved in tumour recognition and subsequent rejection the rejection of transplanted organs and tissues the elimination of parasites ftom the body allergies and autoimmunity (the condition when the body mounts a reachon agairrst its own tissues). 

Inflammatory-immune injury Rheumatoid arthritis Organ transplantation... 

Managing viral hepatitis involves both prevention and treatment. Prevention of hepatitis A and B (and indirectly for hepatitis D) can be achieved with immune globulin or vaccines. There is no specific pharmacologic treatment for acute viral hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E only supportive care is available. Individuals with mild to moderate symptoms rarely require hospitalization. Occasionally, hospitalization is required in individuals experiencing significant nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and encephalopathy. Liver transplantation may be required in rare instances if fulminant hepatitis develops. 

Differentiate between the functions of cell-mediated and humoral immunity and how they relate to organ transplantation. 

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