Tag: diseases and immunity

Cyclosporin is an effective immunosuppressant used in the treatment of autoimmune disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis) and in organ transplantation to prevent rejection. Cyclosporin lowers the activity of T-cells and hence, suppressing the activity of the immune system. Cyclosporin was isolated from the fungus Tolypocladium inflatum. Common side effects include high blood pressure, headache, kidney problems, increased hair growth, and vomiting.

An austrian opthalmologist transplanted the cornea in both eyes of a man who had previously been blinded.

The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system or complex is a gene complex encoding the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins in humans. These cell-surface proteins are responsible for the regulation of the immune system in humans.HLA is the major cause of organ transplant rejections.  Mutations in HLA may be linked to autoimmune disease. Hence, HLA is a group of genes.

• Trichoderma is a genus of fungi in the family Hypocreaceae.
• Cyclosporine A (CsA), a calcineurin inhibitor produced by the fungi Trichoderma polysporum is an immunosuppressant prescribed in organ transplants to prevent rejection.
• Hence Drug for medical treatment is obtained from organism Trichoderma.
• So, the correct answer is 'Option B'.

Genetically modified pigs can be used as organ donors for xenotransplantation.

Transplant rejection occurs when transplanted tissue is rejected by the recipient's immune system, which destroys the transplanted tissue. Killer T cells, also called cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), have CD8 receptors that recognize the transplanted tissue's MHC (major histocompatibility complex) class I molecules, which display the donor's self-antigens. Thereupon, the T cell receptors (TCRs) of the killer T cells recognize their matching epitope and trigger the target cell's programmed cell death by apoptosis.

• The grafted kidney may be rejected in a patient due to the cell-mediated immune response that is mediated by T-lymphocytes.
•  The body is able to differentiate 'self' and 'non-self'. 
• Therefore, tissue matching, blood group matching are essential before undertaking any graft/transplant and even after this the patient has to take immunosuppressants all his/her life.
•  Hence, the Grafted kidney may be rejected in a patient due to Cell-mediated immune response.
• So, the correct answer is 'Cell-mediated immune response'.

A) $Penicillium$ is an antibiotic and is not related to heart patients.
B) $Trichoderma\quad polysporum$ is a fungus that is used to produce the drug cyclosporine which is used to overcome rejection reactions after organ translplants.
C) $Monascus\quad purpureus$ is a yeast from which statins are produced which acts as a clot buster and controls cholesterol levels. It is not related to swine flu.

A group of genes that code for proteins found on the surfaces of cells that help the immune system recognize foreign substances Major histocompatibility (MHC) complex genes. In vertebrates, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes present on chromosome 6 code for a set of cell surface proteins that are  essential for the acquired immune system to recognize foreign molecules, which determines histocompatibility.