Kidney Transplantation and Rejection Mechanisms

A surgical procedure where a tissue or organ is removed and replaced with a corresponding part from another location, either within the same person or from a donor.

The recipient's immune system identifies the transplanted tissue or organ as foreign and attacks it, causing the body to reject the transplant.

A type of transplant rejection where T cells, a type of white blood cell, directly target and destroy the transplanted tissue.

T cells recognize antigens on the transplanted tissue through two pathways: the direct pathway, where T cells directly recognize antigens on donor cells, and the indirect pathway, where recipient's antigen presenting cells process and present donor antigens to T cells.

The direct pathway is often involved in acute cellular rejection, which happens quickly, while the indirect pathway is more linked to chronic rejection, which occurs gradually.

A form of transplant rejection mediated by antibodies, proteins produced by the immune system. It can be hyperacute, happening immediately due to pre-existing antibodies against the donor's tissue, or occur later.

The process of preventing the body from rejecting a transplanted organ or tissue.

A major obstacle in transplantation, where the recipient's immune system rejects the transplanted tissue or organ.

Host immune system attacks the transplanted organ. Occurs when there's a mismatch in MHC antigens (especially important for kidney transplants).

Immune cells from the host (recipient) enter the transplanted organ. This can lead to acceptance or rejection of the graft.

Immune cells from the transplanted organ (donor) enter the host's body.

Immune cells from the host and graft interact, which may lead to tolerance and acceptance of the graft.

Drugs like cyclosporine and anti-thymocyte globulin are used to suppress the immune system, reducing the risk of transplant rejection.

A type of transplant rejection that occurs rapidly within minutes to hours after transplantation, caused by pre-existing antibodies against the donor's tissues.

A type of transplant rejection that happens within days after transplantation, mediated by both antibodies and T cells.

A type of transplant rejection occurring months to years after transplantation, usually characterized by both vascular and interstitial damage.

A type of acute rejection where T cells directly attack and destroy the transplanted tissue, resulting in an inflammatory response and tissue damage.

A type of acute rejection where antibodies bind to the donor tissue, triggering an immune cascade that damages the transplanted organ.

A key characteristic of hyperacute rejection, characterized by blood clots forming in the small blood vessels of the transplanted organ, leading to tissue death.

A type of tissue damage that happens in hyperacute rejection, where the walls of blood vessels become inflamed and damaged, leading to leakage of blood.

A hallmark of acute cellular rejection, where a large number of immune cells, primarily T cells and macrophages, gather around the transplanted tissue.

The thickening and narrowing of blood vessels in a transplanted organ due to an accumulation of smooth muscle cells and connective tissue, ultimately obstructing blood flow.

A type of transplant rejection where immune cells from the donor attack the recipient's tissues.

A severe condition that occurs when immune cells from the transplanted bone marrow attack multiple organs in the recipient's body.

The most severe type of GVH disease, characterized by rapid onset (days to weeks) and affecting the skin, liver, and intestines. It can lead to symptoms like rash, jaundice, and bloody diarrhea.

A milder, but more chronic form of GVH disease that can develop late after transplantation. It often involves skin damage and fibrosis.

A characteristic feature of acute GVH disease, often appearing as a generalized rash, leading to the shedding of skin.