Immunosuppression

Immunosuppression
Polyomavirus, a virus that can cause disease in immunosuppressed individuals
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Immunosuppression refers to the reduction of the activation or efficacy of the immune system. Some portions of the immune system itself have immunosuppressive effects on other parts of the immune system, and immunosuppression may occur as an adverse reaction to treatment of other conditions. Deliberate immunosuppression is generally performed to prevent the body from rejecting an organ transplant or to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease.

Mechanisms of Immunosuppression

Immunosuppression can be achieved through various mechanisms, including the use of immunosuppressive drugs, radiation, and surgical procedures.

Immunosuppressive Drugs

Azathioprine, an immunosuppressive drug

Immunosuppressive drugs are a class of drugs that inhibit or prevent activity of the immune system. These drugs are used in organ transplantation and in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Common immunosuppressive drugs include:

• Corticosteroids: These are anti-inflammatory drugs that suppress the immune response.
• Calcineurin inhibitors: Such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus, which inhibit T-cell activation.
• Antimetabolites: Such as azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil, which inhibit the proliferation of immune cells.
• Biologics: Such as monoclonal antibodies that target specific components of the immune system.

Radiation

Radiation therapy can be used to suppress the immune system, particularly in preparation for a bone marrow transplant.

Surgical Procedures

Certain surgical procedures, such as splenectomy, can lead to immunosuppression by removing organs that are part of the immune system.

Risks and Complications

Scanning electron micrograph of blood cells

While immunosuppression is necessary in many medical treatments, it carries significant risks. The most notable risk is increased susceptibility to infections, as the immune system is less able to fight off pathogens. Patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy are also at higher risk for certain types of cancer, such as lymphoma, due to the reduced immune surveillance.

Applications

Immunosuppression is primarily used in the following contexts:

• Organ transplantation: To prevent graft rejection, patients are given immunosuppressive drugs to reduce the immune response against the transplanted organ.
• Autoimmune diseases: Conditions where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues, such as lupus and multiple sclerosis, are treated with immunosuppressive drugs to reduce the immune response.

Also see

• Immune system
• Autoimmune disease
• Organ transplantation
• Immunology