Xenograft

Definition

A xenograft is a transplant of organs, tissues, or cells from one species to another. It is commonly used in research and has potential for clinical applications.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Xenografts can trigger severe immune responses due to the foreign nature of the tissue.
2. Common donor animals for xenografts include pigs and primates.
3. The primary challenge with xenografting is overcoming immunological rejection.
4. Immunosuppressive drugs are often required to prevent rejection of the xenograft.
5. Xenotransplantation holds promise for addressing organ shortages in human medicine.

Review Questions

• What is a xenograft and how does it differ from an allograft?
• Why are immunosuppressive drugs necessary in xenotransplantation?
• Which animals are most commonly used as donors for xenografts?

Related terms

Allograft: Transplant of organs, tissues, or cells between two genetically different individuals of the same species.

Autograft: Transplantation of organs, tissues, or cells within the same individual.

Immunosuppression:

Reduction of the immune response to prevent rejection of transplanted organs or tissues.