Transplant Biology Course

Lesson 1 • T Cell Activation and Signaling

Details the three-signal model of T cell activation. Connects co-stimulatory pathways to therapeutic targets used in transplant immunosuppression.

Lesson 2 • Antigens and Antigen Presentation

Explains how antigens are processed and presented to T cells. Links antigen presentation pathways directly to allograft recognition.

Lesson 3 • B Cells and Antibody-Mediated Immunity

Covers B cell activation, plasma cell differentiation, and antibody production. Establishes the humoral arm of rejection relevant to donor-specific antibodies.

Lesson 4 • Tolerance and Regulatory Mechanisms

Introduces central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms. Frames regulatory T cells and anergy as targets for tolerance induction strategies.

Lesson 1 • Donor-Specific Antibody Detection

Explains solid-phase assays and flow cytometry for DSA identification. Connects antibody specificity to clinical risk stratification before transplant.

Lesson 2 • HLA Genetics and Nomenclature

Covers the MHC locus structure, HLA gene polymorphism, and official naming conventions. Enables accurate reading of HLA reports used in clinical matching.

Lesson 3 • Matching Strategies Across Organ Types

Compares HLA matching requirements for kidney, heart, liver, and lung transplants. Applies matching principles to allocation decisions and waitlist management.

Lesson 4 • Serological and Molecular Typing Methods

Compares complement-dependent cytotoxicity, SSP, SSOP, and NGS typing platforms. Students select appropriate resolution levels for different transplant scenarios.

Lesson 1 • Hyperacute Rejection

Describes preformed antibody-mediated vascular destruction occurring within minutes to hours. Establishes why pretransplant crossmatch testing is mandatory.

Lesson 2 • Acute Cellular Rejection

Details T cell-mediated infiltration and parenchymal injury in the early post-transplant period. Links histological grading systems to clinical management decisions.

Lesson 3 • Rejection Diagnosis and Biopsy Interpretation

Applies Banff classification to renal and cardiac biopsy findings. Integrates histology, DSA data, and clinical parameters into a unified rejection diagnosis.

Lesson 4 • Acute Antibody-Mediated Rejection

Covers de novo DSA formation, complement activation, and microvascular injury. Connects C4d staining and DSA levels to diagnosis and treatment urgency.

Lesson 1 • Antiproliferative Agents

Explains mycophenolate mofetil and azathioprine mechanisms targeting lymphocyte proliferation. Compares efficacy and toxicity to guide agent selection in maintenance therapy.

Lesson 2 • Calcineurin Inhibitors

Covers tacrolimus and cyclosporine mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, and nephrotoxicity. Establishes therapeutic drug monitoring as essential for safe CNI use.

Lesson 3 • mTOR Inhibitors

Details sirolimus and everolimus mechanisms, anti-proliferative effects, and CNI-sparing roles. Addresses wound healing impairment and metabolic side effects.

Lesson 4 • Corticosteroids in Transplantation

Reviews glucocorticoid anti-inflammatory mechanisms and their role in induction and rejection treatment. Weighs long-term steroid toxicity against immunological benefit.

Lesson 5 • Immunosuppression Regimen Design

Applies pharmacological principles to construct triple-therapy maintenance regimens. Adjusts protocols for high-immunological-risk patients and late post-transplant phases.

Lesson 1 • Donor Evaluation and Selection

Covers brain-dead and circulatory-death donor criteria, contraindications, and risk assessment. Links donor quality metrics to expected recipient outcomes.

Lesson 2 • Donor Management Principles

Details hemodynamic, hormonal, and ventilatory management of the brain-dead donor. Optimizes organ function before procurement to improve post-transplant graft performance.

Lesson 3 • Static Cold Storage Preservation

Explains cold ischemia physiology, preservation solution composition, and time limits. Establishes cold ischemia time as a key determinant of delayed graft function risk.

Lesson 4 • Procurement Surgery Techniques

Describes multi-organ procurement sequence, vascular flushing, and organ packaging. Ensures students understand surgical steps that affect preservation quality.

Lesson 1 • Liver Transplant Surgery

Describes orthotopic liver transplant techniques including piggyback and conventional caval replacement. Addresses biliary reconstruction options and their complication profiles.

Lesson 2 • Immediate Post-Operative Management

Covers ICU monitoring, fluid management, and early graft function assessment. Establishes protocols for detecting and responding to early surgical complications.

Lesson 3 • Vascular and Biliary Complications

Identifies arterial thrombosis, venous thrombosis, and biliary leak presentations and management. Connects timely imaging and intervention to graft salvage outcomes.

Lesson 4 • Heart and Lung Transplant Surgery

Outlines cardiopulmonary bypass use, cardiac implantation, and bilateral lung transplant technique. Links ischemic time management to primary graft dysfunction risk.

Lesson 1 • Cytomegalovirus in Transplantation

Covers CMV serostatus-based risk stratification, prophylaxis regimens, and treatment of active disease. Addresses CMV indirect effects on graft function and rejection risk.

Lesson 2 • Vaccination and Infection Prevention

Covers pre- and post-transplant vaccination schedules, live vaccine contraindications, and infection control practices. Optimizes recipient immunity within safe immunosuppression boundaries.

Lesson 3 • Fungal and Pneumocystis Infections

Addresses Aspergillus, Candida, and Pneumocystis jirovecii prophylaxis and treatment in transplant recipients. Links antifungal drug interactions with calcineurin inhibitors to monitoring needs.

Lesson 4 • BK Virus and Polyomavirus Nephropathy

Explains BK virus reactivation, screening protocols, and immunosuppression reduction strategies. Connects BK nephropathy to irreversible graft loss if undetected.

Lesson 1 • Cardiovascular Risk Management

Identifies metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, and new-onset diabetes as major post-transplant cardiovascular risks. Applies risk reduction strategies within immunosuppression constraints.

Lesson 2 • Surveillance Biopsy and Biomarker Monitoring

Evaluates protocol biopsy utility, donor-derived cell-free DNA, and gene expression profiling for subclinical rejection detection. Integrates non-invasive biomarkers into routine follow-up.

Lesson 3 • Chronic Kidney Disease After Transplant

Addresses CNI nephrotoxicity, hypertension, and proteinuria as drivers of progressive renal decline. Applies CKD staging and management to non-renal transplant recipients.

Lesson 4 • Bone Disease and Metabolic Complications

Explains steroid-induced osteoporosis, avascular necrosis, and hyperparathyroidism in transplant recipients. Applies bone density monitoring and pharmacological prevention strategies.