The body’s way of protecting itself against a foreign invader such as infectious germs. The body sees the transplanted organ or tissue as a foreign invader and attempts to destroy it. Acute rejection happens very quickly; chronic rejection is the slow failure of a donated organ to function. (Organdonor.gov April 2020)
A phenomenon that occurs when a recipient’s immune system attacks a transplanted organ, tissue, or cell. Immunosuppressive drugs help prevent or treat rejection. (OPTN Glossary May 2021)