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New Cell Beneficial In Protecting Patients From Transplant Rejection

OSU Medical Center

Ohio State University researchers have identified an immune cell that could predict a transplant patient’s risk of rejecting the organ. A recent study measured levels of the cell in kidney transplant recipients and found that those with higher levels were less likely to develop donor-specific antibodies, which can cause immediate damage to the organ or lead to rejection. 

This not only could help doctors assess a patient’s risk of rejection but may lead to new treatment options before and after surgery, according to OSU Medical Center transplant surgeon Dr. Ginny Bumgardner.

"We could use it as a therapy to do two things," Bumgardner continued. "One, to prevent antibody development in the first place, antibodies that are directed against the donor organ. Secondly, for patients who do develop antibody mediated rejection, we may be able to use the cells as a therapy to suppress the rejection."

Preventing organ rejection can also reduce the need for additional transplants, which health officials say will help alleviate the organ shortage for the more than 110,000 Americans awaiting a lifesaving transplant.

The study regarding the CD8+ T immune cell is published in the journal Transplantation

Mike Foley joined WCBE in February 2000, coming from WUFT in Gainesville, Florida. Foley has worked in various roles, from producing news and feature stories to engineering Live From Studio A sessions. A series of music features Foley started in 2018 called Music Journeys has grown into a podcast and radio show. He also assists in developing other programs in WCBE's Podcast Experience. Foley hosts The Morning Mix, a weekday music show featuring emerging and established musicians, our Columbus-area and Ohio-based talent, and additional artists that inspire him.
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