What is a hallmark of acute transplant rejection?

A hallmark of acute transplant rejection is the involvement of increased T lymphocytes. Acute rejection typically occurs within days to weeks after a transplant, depending on the individual and the type of organ transplanted. This process is primarily mediated by the immune system, specifically T cells, which recognize the transplanted tissue as foreign.

When the body detects that the new organ is not self, it activates T lymphocytes, which then proliferate and mount an immune response against the transplant. The increased T lymphocytes contribute to the tissue damage and dysfunction that characterize acute rejection.

This immune response is significant because it indicates that the body is actively attempting to reject the transplant. In contrast, chronic rejection generally occurs later and involves different immune mechanisms that are less reliant on T lymphocyte activity. Furthermore, acute rejection is often responsive to immunosuppressive therapy, making the increased T lymphocytes in this context a critical aspect of the rejection process.