Alloimmunity

Alloimmunity is a type of immune response that occurs when the immune system reacts against the tissues of another individual of the same species. This often happens during organ transplants, blood transfusions, or pregnancies, where the body recognizes foreign cells from the donor or fetus and mounts an immune response against them. This can lead to rejection of the transplanted organ or complications in pregnancy. Essentially, alloimmunity highlights how our immune system can distinguish between "self" and "non-self," sometimes mistakenly attacking what is actually beneficial or necessary.