Understanding Transplantation and Autoimmune Diseases
Transplantation Types
When the donor and recipient are the same individual, it is referred to as autologous, autograft, or autologous transplantation. This is mainly used for tissues like skin, bone, vessels, or bone marrow.
Isotransplant
When the donor and recipient are identical twins. Since both individuals are genetically identical, this completely avoids the problem of rejection.
Allogeneic or Homograft
When the donor and recipient are members of the same species but not genetically identical. This is the most common type of transplant for cells, tissues, and organs between humans.
Xenotransplantation or Heterotransplantation
When the donor and recipient are of different species. An example is the use of porcine (pig) heart valves in humans.
Orthotopic
Removing the patient’s organ and replacing it with the donor’s organ in its normal anatomical position.
Heterotopic
The patient’s diseased organ remains, and the donor organ is grafted into a different location. This is common in renal transplants.
Autoimmune Diseases
Bacteria, gene therapy, drugs, cow pus, Jenner, child 8 years after smallpox, slight man with smallpox pus of the same child and nothing occurred, not immune. Pasteur first vaccine against rabies virus, blood, 12 months incubation, symptoms 1 year after, attacks killed in 4 days, food intake, decomposition mechanisms, vaccination, credit, pasteurization, fermentation. An autoimmune disease is characterized by the action of immune effectors against the body’s own components. The immune system attacks parts of the body instead of protecting it. There is an exaggerated immune response against substances and tissues normally present in the body.
The causes are somewhat unknown but are related to protein-rich recognition between cell membrane surfaces and the immune system. When glycoproteins of recognition do not match, the immune system attacks the body. The cause sometimes has to do with genetic predisposition or mutation that encodes proteins in immune cells or organs. Although there is no unanimity, some theories claim that, along with genetic predisposition, microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, etc.) and certain medicines play a role. In natural medicine, some believe that excessive vaccines and drugs could also cause the increase in autoimmune diseases. Unbalanced diets full of additives could also contribute. In many cases, it is probably a combination of factors. More research is needed as more people are diagnosed with autoimmune diseases, which significantly impact their quality of life.
Body Barriers
Some of these barriers are:
- Skin: The presence of microbiota occupies space, reducing the contact surface for other organisms. Fatty acids secreted by the skin create a low pH environment, incompatible with microorganisms.
- Stomach: Called the gastric trap, its proton pumps generate a low pH (pH = 1). However, this barrier develops later; a newborn’s stomach pH is 6, making them more susceptible to colonization by microbiota and pathogens.
- Mucosa: Forms hyperplasias in the intestinal villi, allowing water flow and detachment of enterocytes.
- Enzymes: Lysozyme in tears breaks down bacterial structures (Gram+).
- Nose and Throat: Villi trap and remove foreign particles inhaled. Mucus traps particles, which are then expelled by cilia at a speed of 3 cm per second.
- Commensal Microbiota: Works as a biological barrier preventing pathogen colonization.
Infection Stages
Contagious diseases are characterized by various symptoms, including fever, malaise, and decay, and typically go through three stages:
1. Incubation Period: Time between the entry of the agent and the onset of symptoms. The pathogen multiplies and divides. Time varies depending on the disease.
2. Development Period: Characteristic symptoms appear.
3. Convalescence: The body overcomes the disease and recovers.