Chapter 48, Problem 1O

Summary Introduction

To discuss:

The role immunosuppressive therapy in organ transplantation and in the treatment of autoimmune disease.

Concept introduction:

The main role of antibodies in the body is to provide protection against invading pathogens, in some case the antibodies act against the body and cause auto-immune disorders. The antibodies also act against different types of major histocompatibility complex during an organ transplant.

Explanation of Solution

The immunosuppressive therapy is administered to suppress the immune system. The immunosuppressive therapy is given during the organ transplant and also used to treat autoimmune disorders. During the organ transplantation, the donor and recipient are matched by the histocompatibility complex, unlike for closest relatives the MHC of others will not match with the recipient and result in the organ rejection. Even if the organ is transplanted from the closest relatives, sometimes the antibodies can recognize the donor’s organ as foreign and that result in rejection. To avoid these complexes, the immunosuppressant drugs are helpful to suppress the activity of the donor’s antibodies and make them think the donor’s organ as self. While in the case of autoimmune disease, the antibodies attack the self-host system results in autoimmune disorders. The anti-antibody is suppressed by the immunosuppressant drugs.

Conclusion

The immunosuppressant drugs are given to reduce the potential activity of the auto-antibodies in autoimmune disorders as well as to suppress the antibodies that are produced against foreign MHC during an organ transplant.