Abstract
At present, rejection of transplanted organs remains the main obstacle in transplantation. It occurs as a result of humoral and cell-mediated responses by the recipient to specific antigens present in donor tissue. These antigens are known as major histocompability complex (MHC) molecules in humans, and this group of molecules is referred to as human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex molecules. Once graft rejection has begun, it can be classified in hyperacute rejection, acute rejection or chronic rejection [1]. Symptoms of rejection vary depending on the transplanted organ or tissue; usually, the principal sign is improper function of the organ and, rarely, pain or swelling in the location of the transplanted organ. For example, patients who reject a kidney may have oliguria and increase in serum creatinine values, and patients with heart rejection may have symptoms of heart failure.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
VanBuskirk AM, Pidwell DJ, Adams PW, Orosz CG (1997) Transplantation immunology JAMA 278:1993–1999
Lanzetta M, Petruzzo P, Margreiter R et al (2005) The International Registry on Hand and Composite Tissue Transplantation. Transplantation 79:1210–1214
Petruzzo P, Revillard JP, Kanitakis J et al (2003) First human double hand transplantation: efficacy of a conventional immunosuppressive protocol. Clin Transplant 17:455–460
Lee WPA, Yaremchuk MJ, Pan YC et al (1991) Relative antigenicity of components of a vascularized limb allograft. Plast Reconstr Surg 87:401–411
Llull R (1998) An open proposal for clinical composite tissue allotransplantation. Transplant Proc 30:2692–2696
Duquesnoy RJ (1998) Is histocompatibility testing needed for composite tissue transplantation? Transplant Proc 30:2724–2728
Hewitt CW, Black KS, Dowdy SF et al (1986) Composite tissue (limb) allografts in rats. III. Development of donor-host lymphoid chimeras in long-term survivors. Transplantation 41:39–43
Kanitakis J, Jullien D, Petruzzo P et al (2003) Clinicopathologic features of graft rejection of the first human hand allograft. Transplantation 76:688–693
Kanitakis J, Petruzzo P, Jullien D et al (2005) Pathological score for the evaluation of allograft rejection in human hand (composite tissue) allotransplantation. Eur J Dermatol 15:235–238
Hardy MA, Nowygrod R, Elberg A, Appel G (1980) Use of ATG in treatment of steroid-resistant rejection. Transplantation 29:162–164
Buhaescu I, Segall L, Goldsmith D, Covic A (2005) New immunosuppressive therapies in renal transplantation: monoclonal antibodies. J Nephrol 18:529–536
Orr DW, Portman BC, Knisley AS et al (2005) Antiinterleukin 2 receptor antibodies and mycophenolate mofetil for treatment of steroid-resistant rejection in adult liver transplantation. Transplant Proc 37:4373–4379
Schneeberger S, Kreczy A, Brandacher G et al (2004) Steroid-and ATG-resistant rejection after double forearm transplantation responds to Campath-1H. Am J Translant 4:1372–1374
Leendert CP, de Fijter JW, Sijpkens YWJ (2001) Chronic renal transplant rejection. In: Morris PJ (ed) Kidney transplantation. Principles and practice. WB Saunders Company, Philadelphia, pp 408–418
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2007 Springer-Verlag Italia
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Petruzzo, P. (2007). Pharmacological Treatment of Rejection. In: Lanzetta, M., Dubernard, JM., Petruzzo, P. (eds) Hand Transplantation. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-0374-3_33
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-0374-3_33
Publisher Name: Springer, Milano
Print ISBN: 978-88-470-0373-6
Online ISBN: 978-88-470-0374-3
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)