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T cell secreting the enzyme granzyme B
A T cell (in purple) makes contact with a transplant organ cell (in reddish brown). The T cell secretes the enzyme granzyme B (in gray), which attacks the organ cell. But granzyme B also severs fluorescent signal molecules (in green) from the rejection-detecting nanoparticle (in light pink). The signal molecules make their way into the urine, where they give off a fluorescent cue.
Frequenty, it’s only after a transplanted organ is seriously damaged that a biopsy reveals the organ is in rejection. Now, a new screening method, developed by researchers from Georgia Tech and Emory University, that uses sensor particles and a urine test could catch rejection much earlier, more comprehensively and without a biopsy needle. [See related image Here.]
This research was supported in part by a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (DGE 16-50044). Read more in the Georgia Tech news story Urine test detects organ transplant rejection, could replace needle biopsies. (Date image taken: unknown; date originally posted to NSF Multimedia Gallery: June 20, 2019)
Credit: Georgia Tech/Ella Maru Studio (work for hire, all rights GT, free for distribution)
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