Transplantation Flashcards
List the 4 transplantation types.
For each type, give an example.
1 - Cell transplantation, e.g. blood transfusion.
2 - Stem cell transfusion, e.g. bone marrow transfusion.
3 - Tissue transplantation, e.g. corneal transplantation.
4 - Organ transplantation, e.g. lung transplant.
List 5 sources of transplants.
1 - Autologous (from self).
2 - Syngeneic (from genetically identical twins).
3 - Haploidentical (from parent to child).
4 - Allogeneic (from different members of the same species).
5 - Xenogeneic (from another species).
List 3 factors which influence the quality of a graft for transplantation.
1 - Cell numbers / size of the graft.
2 - Possibility of infection or cancer from the graft.
3 - Life span of the graft.
List 2 factors which must be matched to ensure graft rejection doesn’t occur.
1 - Match for ABO blood group antigens.
2 - For bone marrow stem cell transplants, match for HLA genes (difficult due to polymorphisms).
List the human leukocyte antigens which are synonymous with MHC class I and II.
- MHC class I is synonymous with HLA A, B and C.
- MHC class II is synonymous with HLA DP, DQ and DR.
On which chromosome are human leukocyte antigen genes found?
Chromosome 6.
Which type of molecules are processed by the protein encoded by the ABO gene?
Where are these target molecules found?
- Carbohydrates.
- On the surface of erythrocytes.
Which protein is encoded by the ABO gene if the phenotype is blood group A?
N-acetylgalactosaminyl transferase.
Which protein is encoded by the ABO gene if the phenotype is blood group B?
D-galactosyl transferase.
What is the specific function of the product of the blood group A ABO gene?
It adds a GalNAc group to the carbohydrate found on the surface of erythrocytes.
What is the specific function of the product of the blood group B ABO gene?
It adds galactose to the carbohydrate found on the surface of erythrocytes.
Which proteins are encoded by the ABO gene if the phenotype is blood group AB?
The products of both blood group A and blood group B.
Which proteins are encoded by the ABO gene if the phenotype is blood group O?
None.
What immunological advantage do people with blood group O have?
What about people with blood group A and blood group B?
- Bacteria have similar enzymes to those produced by the ABO gene.
- People with blood group O have antibodies against the sugar groups processed by these enzymes as part of their immune response to bacteria.
- People with blood group A have anti-B antibodies, and people with blood group B have anti-A antibodies.
- People with blood group AB lack both anti-A and anti-B antibodies.
What type of antibodies are anti-A and anti-B antibodies?
IgM constant region.
List the blood groups in order of prevalence.
1 - Blood group A (42%).
2 - Blood group O (38%).
3 - Blood group B (14%).
4 - Blood group AB (6%).
Why is it advantageous that the anti-A and anti-B antibodies are IgM antibodies?
Because IgM doesn’t cross the placenta.
List 2 instances in which red cells might be transfused.
1 - In a patient with anaemia.
2 - After suffering trauma.
List 3 instances in which platelets might be transfused.
1 - In a patient with thrombocytopenia.
2 - After suffering trauma.
3 - Following stem cell transplantation.
List 3 instances in which plasma might be transfused.
1 - In a patient with coagulopathy.
2 - After suffering trauma.
3 - To replace blood factors, e.g. after suffering burns.
List 3 molecules that are often transfused in the blood.
1 - Factor 8.
2 - Immunoglobulin.
3 - Albumin.
Describe the process of platelet transfusion.
By a process known as apheresis:
1 - Blood is transported from the donor to a machine that separates the blood components by centrifugation.
2 - Plasma and platelets are isolated from the blood and the remaining blood is returned to the donor.
What volume of platelets and plasma can be extracted from the blood in an apheresis?
250mls of platelets and plasma can be derived from 2L of blood.