OSMT (Ontario Society of Medical Technologists) Practice Exam

Which of the following cells are responsible for graft rejection?

1. B cells

2. T cells

3. plasma cells

4. Kupffer cells

The correct answer is: T cells

The correct answer is T cells, as they play a crucial role in the immune response involved in graft rejection. T cells are a type of lymphocyte that can directly recognize and respond to foreign antigens presented on the surface of cells from a transplanted organ or tissue. When a transplant occurs, T cells identify the foreign antigens from the donor tissue as non-self and initiate an immune response. This process can lead to the destruction of the transplanted cells, which is the basis of graft rejection. B cells and plasma cells are primarily involved in the humoral immune response, producing antibodies that target pathogens. However, they do not directly mediate the rejection of grafts. While they can contribute to the overall immune response, it is the T cells that are the central players in the graft rejection process. Kupffer cells are specialized macrophages located in the liver and are part of the innate immune system. They primarily function to filter and phagocytize pathogens and dead cells in the bloodstream rather than being directly involved in graft rejection. Thus, T cells are the primary immune cells responsible for the recognition and rejection of grafts in transplant scenarios.