Rejection: why does it happen?
In several previous steps we have mentioned the need for patient to take immunosuppressive drugs after the transplant. These reduce the ability of the recipient’s immune system to damage the new liver, and so are vital to maintain the health of the new liver. We need to think a bit more about this process of organ rejection as it remains a huge challenge in the field of transplantation.
Your task: Watch this short video in which Dr Zania Stamataki interviews Dr Nick Jones, an immunologist at The University of Birmingham about the process of rejection.
He will explain how the liver is unusual when it comes to immune recognition and has an inbuilt ability to resist damaging immune responses. You may find that watching Zania’s video about the immune system in Step 1.9 will refresh your memory about some of the different immune cells types.
Share your thoughts on this video in the comments.
Reach your personal and professional goals
Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.
Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.
