Alloantibody meaning

An alloantibody is an antibody that recognizes and reacts against antigens from individuals of the same species with different genetic backgrounds.


Alloantibody definitions

Word backwards ydobitnaolla
Part of speech Noun
Syllabic division al-lo-an-ti-bo-dy
Plural The plural of the word alloantibody is alloantibodies.
Total letters 12
Vogais (3) a,o,i
Consonants (6) l,n,t,b,d,y

When a person receives an organ or tissue transplant, their immune system may recognize the donor's cells as foreign and produce antibodies against them. These antibodies, known as alloantibodies, can attack the transplanted tissue, leading to rejection.

Alloantibodies are specific to antigens present on the donor's cells but not on the recipient's cells. This immune response is a major challenge in organ transplantation, as it can compromise the success of the transplant.

Causes of Alloantibody Formation

Alloantibodies are typically formed when a person receives a blood transfusion or an organ transplant from a genetically different individual. The immune system identifies the antigens on the donor cells as foreign and mounts an immune response.

Effects of Alloantibodies

When alloantibodies attack the transplanted tissue, they can cause acute or chronic rejection. Acute rejection occurs shortly after transplantation and is characterized by inflammation and damage to the transplanted organ. Chronic rejection is a more gradual process that can occur months or years after transplantation, leading to organ failure.

It is essential for healthcare providers to monitor transplant recipients for the presence of alloantibodies through regular blood tests. If high levels of alloantibodies are detected, interventions such as changes in immunosuppressive medications or additional treatments may be necessary to prevent rejection.

Prevention and Treatment

Preventing alloantibody formation is challenging but can be achieved through careful donor-recipient matching and the use of immunosuppressive medications. In cases where alloantibodies have already formed, treatments such as plasmapheresis or immunoglobulin therapy may be used to remove or neutralize the antibodies.

Overall, understanding alloantibodies and their impact on organ transplantation is crucial for improving transplant outcomes and ensuring the long-term success of transplant recipients.


Alloantibody Examples

  1. The presence of an alloantibody can lead to rejection of a transplanted organ.
  2. Alloantibodies are produced by the immune system in response to foreign antigens.
  3. Testing for alloantibodies is an important step in compatible blood transfusions.
  4. Alloantibodies can cause complications in pregnancy if the mother's blood type is incompatible with the fetus's.
  5. Autoimmune disorders can sometimes lead to the production of alloantibodies attacking the body's own tissues.
  6. Alloantibody-mediated rejection is a serious concern in solid organ transplantation.
  7. Alloantibodies play a role in the immune response against pathogens and foreign cells.
  8. Alloantibody screening is a standard practice in pre-transplant evaluation to assess risk of rejection.
  9. Alloantibodies are important in histocompatibility testing for organ transplantation.
  10. Alloantibodies can be detected through various laboratory techniques, such as flow cytometry and ELISA.


Most accessed

Search the alphabet

  • #
  • Aa
  • Bb
  • Cc
  • Dd
  • Ee
  • Ff
  • Gg
  • Hh
  • Ii
  • Jj
  • Kk
  • Ll
  • Mm
  • Nn
  • Oo
  • Pp
  • Qq
  • Rr
  • Ss
  • Tt
  • Uu
  • Vv
  • Ww
  • Xx
  • Yy
  • Zz
  • Updated 25/04/2024 - 16:05:17