Anti-thymocyte globulin
Anti-thymocyte globulin (pronunciation: an-tee-thy-mo-site glo-bu-lin) is a type of immunosuppressive drug used primarily in the prevention and treatment of organ transplant rejection and in the treatment of certain blood disorders.
Etymology
The term "anti-thymocyte globulin" is derived from its function and composition. "Anti-" is a prefix denoting against or opposed to, "thymocyte" refers to the T cells that mature in the thymus gland, and "globulin" is a type of protein.
Usage
Anti-thymocyte globulin is used in the prevention of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. It is also used in the treatment of aplastic anemia, a condition where the bone marrow does not produce enough new blood cells.
Mechanism of Action
Anti-thymocyte globulin works by targeting T cells, a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in immune responses. By reducing the number and activity of T cells, anti-thymocyte globulin can help prevent the immune system from attacking transplanted organs or from damaging the bone marrow in aplastic anemia.
Related Terms
- Immunosuppressive drug
- Organ transplant
- Graft-versus-host disease
- Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
- Aplastic anemia
- T cells
- Thymus gland
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Anti-thymocyte globulin
- Wikipedia's article - Anti-thymocyte globulin
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