Rejection and Immunosuppressants Flashcards

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What is organ rejection?

Organ rejection is when the immune system attacks a transplanted organ.

Why might the body reject a transplanted organ?

The donor organ has different antigens, so it is seen as foreign.

What are antigens on body cells?

Antigens are proteins on cell surfaces that show if a cell is self or foreign.

Which cells in the blood attack a rejected organ?

White blood cells attack the cells of the transplanted organ.

What can happen to a transplanted organ if it is rejected?

It becomes damaged and may fail, so it can no longer work properly.

What is tissue matching in organ transplants?

Tissue matching means choosing a donor whose antigens are very similar to the patient's.

How does tissue matching help reduce rejection?

If the antigens are similar, the immune system is less likely to attack the organ.

What are immunosuppressant drugs?

Immunosuppressant drugs are medicines that reduce the activity of the immune system.

Why do transplant patients often take immunosuppressant drugs for life?

The transplanted organ always stays foreign, so drugs are needed to stop rejection.

What is a main risk of taking immunosuppressant drugs?

They weaken the immune system, so infections are more likely and can be serious.