ORGAN TRANSPLANTS

In general, it’s great that the immune system fights off things with non-self DNA, like germs. But for people who get organ transplants (like a new kidney donated by someone else), the immune system can cause some problems. White blood cells will identify the donated organ as “other,” because it has someone else’s DNA. The white blood cells will attack the donated organ as if it were a dangerous invader instead of a life-saving helper. So doctors need to suppress (slow down, weaken) the immune system of people who receive organ transplants. This can help patients to tolerate transplanted organs (but at the cost of making them more vulnerable to infectious diseases).

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Interpret this diagram. pending... associate with organ plant rejection... medical student notes found in a used textbook