Anti-lymphocyte globulin
Encyclopedia
Anti-lymphocyte globulin (ALG) is an infusion
of horse
-derived or more commonly rabbit-derived antibodies
against human
T cell
s which is used in the treatment of acute rejection
in organ transplant
ation, especially in kidney
transplants. It was developed at the University of Minnesota
by Dr. John Najarian
.
It has also been used in the treatment of aplastic anemia
.
It is less commonly used than the similar anti-thymocyte globulin
(ATG), and like ATG it is associated with cytokine release syndrome
in the short term and an increased risk of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder
in the long term. ALG is more likely to cause side effects
than ATG, but is safer than OKT3
.
One notable source of ALG was a horse called Volcano, who lived in South America. At one point in the mid 1990s, the world's entire supply of ALG came from this horse.
Infusion
An infusion is the outcome of steeping plants with desired chemical compounds or flavors in water or oil.-History:The first recorded use of essential oils was in the 10th or 11th century by the Persian polymath Avicenna, possibly in The Canon of Medicine.-Preparation techniques:An infusion is very...
of horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
-derived or more commonly rabbit-derived antibodies
Antibody
An antibody, also known as an immunoglobulin, is a large Y-shaped protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. The antibody recognizes a unique part of the foreign target, termed an antigen...
against human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
T cell
T cell
T cells or T lymphocytes belong to a group of white blood cells known as lymphocytes, and play a central role in cell-mediated immunity. They can be distinguished from other lymphocytes, such as B cells and natural killer cells , by the presence of a T cell receptor on the cell surface. They are...
s which is used in the treatment of acute rejection
Transplant rejection
Transplant rejection occurs when transplanted tissue is rejected by the recipient's immune system, which destroys the transplanted tissue. Transplant rejection can be lessened by determining the molecular similitude between donor and recipient and by use of immunosuppressant drugs after...
in organ transplant
Organ transplant
Organ transplantation is the moving of an organ from one body to another or from a donor site on the patient's own body, for the purpose of replacing the recipient's damaged or absent organ. The emerging field of regenerative medicine is allowing scientists and engineers to create organs to be...
ation, especially in kidney
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
transplants. It was developed at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
by Dr. John Najarian
John Najarian
John S. Najarian is a noted transplant surgeon and is Clinical Professor of Transplant Surgery at the University of Minnesota. Najarian is the father of the former professional NFL football player Pete Najarian and options trader Jon Najarain.- External links :*...
.
It has also been used in the treatment of aplastic anemia
Aplastic anemia
Aplastic anemia is a condition where bone marrow does not produce sufficient new cells to replenish blood cells. The condition, per its name, involves both aplasia and anemia...
.
It is less commonly used than the similar anti-thymocyte globulin
Anti-thymocyte globulin
Anti-thymocyte globulin is an infusion of horse or rabbit-derived antibodies against human T cells which is used in the prevention and treatment of acute rejection in organ transplantation and therapy of aplastic anemia.-Uses:...
(ATG), and like ATG it is associated with cytokine release syndrome
Cytokine release syndrome
Cytokine release syndrome is a common immediate complication occurring with the use of anti-T cell antibody infusions such as ATG, OKT3 and TGN1412. Severe cases are known as cytokine storms....
in the short term and an increased risk of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder
Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder
Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder is the name given to a B-cell proliferation due to therapeutic immunosupression after organ transplantation. These patients may develop infectious mononucleosis-like lesions or polyclonal polymorphic B-cell hyperplasia...
in the long term. ALG is more likely to cause side effects
Adverse effect (medicine)
In medicine, an adverse effect is a harmful and undesired effect resulting from a medication or other intervention such as surgery.An adverse effect may be termed a "side effect", when judged to be secondary to a main or therapeutic effect. If it results from an unsuitable or incorrect dosage or...
than ATG, but is safer than OKT3
OKT3
Muromonab-CD3 is an immunosuppressant drug given to reduce acute rejection in patients with organ transplants. It is a monoclonal antibody targeted at the CD3 receptor, a membrane protein on the surface of T cells...
.
One notable source of ALG was a horse called Volcano, who lived in South America. At one point in the mid 1990s, the world's entire supply of ALG came from this horse.