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Lymphatic System

Specific Defenses

Why are immunosuppressants prescribed for patients who receive organ transplants?

The body reacts to transplanted organs as if they were foreign bodies. The cells of the transplanted organ are different from the cells of the host body that initiates the immune response. The recipient of a transplanted organ begins to manufacture T cells that are active against the foreign cells of the new organ. These T cells migrate to the transplant site and attack the tissue. Therefore, immunosuppressant medications are prescribed to prevent rejection of the new organ.