Chronic rejection involves which components?

Chronic rejection involves which components?

• A. Cell-mediated only
• B. Cell-mediated and humoral components
• C. Humoral only
• D. Graft T cell response to host

Answer: (B)

Chronic rejection results from ongoing immune injury that involves both T cells and antibodies. Recipient T cells continually recognize donor antigens, driving a chronic inflammatory response that promotes vascular injury, smooth muscle proliferation, and fibrosis. At the same time, donor-specific antibodies against donor HLA or other graft antigens bind to graft endothelium, activate complement, and contribute ongoing endothelial damage. The combined cellular and humoral attack leads to progressive vascular occlusion and graft failure. This dual involvement distinguishes chronic rejection from processes driven by a single arm; the graft-versus-host scenario describes a T cell–mediated attack on host tissues, not chronic rejection of a solid organ graft.

Chronic rejection results from ongoing immune injury that involves both T cells and antibodies. Recipient T cells continually recognize donor antigens, driving a chronic inflammatory response that promotes vascular injury, smooth muscle proliferation, and fibrosis. At the same time, donor-specific antibodies against donor HLA or other graft antigens bind to graft endothelium, activate complement, and contribute ongoing endothelial damage. The combined cellular and humoral attack leads to progressive vascular occlusion and graft failure. This dual involvement distinguishes chronic rejection from processes driven by a single arm; the graft-versus-host scenario describes a T cell–mediated attack on host tissues, not chronic rejection of a solid organ graft.