Mechanisms of renal allograft rejection

Abstract

The immune response to donor antigens leads to the rejection of transplanted organs. The earliest event in this response is the activation of the innate immune system. Innate activation culminates in the migration of antigen presenting cells to the recipient's secondary lymphoid tissues where they trigger the adaptive immune response. The principal events of this response are the activation of T and B lymphocytes, which generate effector cells that inflict immediate damage. Adaptive immunity also produces long-lived memory lymphocytes that cause either acute or chronic rejection. Here, we will summarize the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the innate and adaptive responses that lead to graft rejection. © 2006 Humana Press Inc.