Organ transplant immunology

Organ transplant immunology studies how the immune system responds to transplanted organs. When an organ is transferred from a donor to a recipient, the recipient’s immune system can recognize the new organ as foreign and may attack it. This reaction is called rejection. To prevent this, transplant recipients take immunosuppressive medications, which help the body accept the new organ but increase the risk of infections. Understanding this balance between acceptance and rejection is crucial for successful organ transplants, improving patient outcomes, and managing the longevity of the transplanted organ.