Which of the following reasons is mainly responsible for graft rejecti...
- Option (1) is the correct answer as the body is able to differentiate between ‘self’ and ‘non-self’ and the cell-mediated immune response is responsible for the graft rejection.
- Option (2) is incorrect as body of higher vertebrates have the ability to differentiate foreign organisms from self cells.
- Option (4) is incorrect as the autoimmune response occur when the body’s immune system fails to recognize ‘self’ from ‘non-self’ and starts destroying the body’s own cells.
Which of the following reasons is mainly responsible for graft rejecti...
Understanding Graft Rejection in Organ Transplantation
Organ transplantation is a critical medical procedure, but it often faces challenges such as graft rejection. The primary reason for this rejection is the body's immune response.
Cell-Mediated Response
- The correct answer, option 'A', emphasizes the cell-mediated response as the main factor in graft rejection.
- This involves T lymphocytes (T cells) that identify foreign tissues. Intransplantation, the donor organ is recognized as "non-self" by the recipient's immune system.
Mechanism of Cell-Mediated Response
- T cells become activated upon recognizing foreign antigens on the transplanted cells.
- Once activated, these T cells proliferate and attack the graft, leading to inflammation and tissue damage.
- This process is crucial because it specifically targets and eliminates cells that do not match the recipient’s own tissue.
Why Other Options Are Less Relevant
- Option B: Inability to differentiate 'self' and 'non-self' - While this is a factor, the actual mechanism of rejection is driven by the immune response rather than a mere inability to differentiate.
- Option C: Humoral immune response only - This refers to antibody-mediated reactions, which can contribute to rejection, but the primary mechanism is still cell-mediated.
- Option D: Auto-immune response - Autoimmune responses involve the body attacking its own tissues, which is not the case in transplantation situations.
Conclusion
The cell-mediated response is a sophisticated and targeted mechanism by which the immune system protects the body from foreign invaders. Understanding this concept is crucial for improving graft survival rates in transplantation.