After solid organ transplant, cyclosporine is commonly used for which purpose?

• A. To treat infection
• B. To promote wound healing
• C. Immune suppression
• D. To prevent organ rejection

Answer: (C)

Cyclosporine’s primary role after a solid organ transplant is to suppress the immune system so the graft isn’t attacked by the recipient’s defenses. It does this at the cellular level by binding to a protein in T cells and blocking calcineurin, which stops the transcription of IL-2 and other cytokines needed for T-cell activation and proliferation. With this immune suppression, the risk of graft rejection decreases, allowing the transplanted organ to survive. It’s not used to treat infections or to promote wound healing; in fact, its immunosuppressive action can raise infection risk, which is why the goal is immune suppression to prevent rejection.