Horse anti-human lymphocyte globulin (AHLG) is a medication derived from horses that suppresses the human immune system. It's primarily used to prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted organ.
Here's a breakdown of the term:
- Horse: The source of the antibodies. Horses are injected with human lymphocytes (white blood cells) which triggers their immune system to produce antibodies against those human lymphocytes.
- Anti: Refers to "against" indicating the antibodies work against something.
- Lymphocyte: A type of white blood cell involved in the immune response.
- Globulin: A class of proteins found in blood plasma, including antibodies.
AHLG is a type of antithymocyte globulin (ATG), specifically called equine ATG
How it works:
- Horses are exposed to human lymphocytes which prompts their immune system to develop antibodies specifically targeting human lymphocytes.
- These antibodies are then extracted and purified from the horse's blood plasma.
- When administered to a human patient, the AHLG binds to the patient's lymphocytes, effectively marking them for destruction by the patient's immune system itself. This reduces the number of circulating lymphocytes, thereby weakening the immune response and preventing rejection of the transplanted organ.
Important points to remember:
- AHLG is a powerful drug and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified medical professional.
- It weakens the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections.
- AHLG is not a first-line treatment and is typically reserved for severe cases of organ rejection or when other immunosuppressive medications have failed.
It's important to note that AHLG is not a current first-line treatment due to the development of alternative immunosuppressive medications with fewer side effects.