HISTOCOMPATIBILITY ANTIGEN Meaning and
Definition
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Histocompatibility antigens are proteins found on the surface of cells that play a crucial role in determining whether the cells of an organism will be recognized as self or non-self by the immune system. These antigens are encoded by a set of genes called the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in humans.
Histocompatibility antigens are responsible for initiating an immune response by presenting fragments of foreign substances, such as pathogens or tumor cells, to the immune system's cells called T lymphocytes. This process is crucial for the activation of the immune system and the subsequent destruction of infected or abnormal cells.
In transplantation medicine, histocompatibility antigens are of utmost importance as they determine the compatibility between a donor and recipient in solid organ or tissue transplantation. If a recipient's immune system recognizes the histocompatibility antigens on the transplanted organ as non-self, it will trigger an immune response, leading to rejection of the transplant.
The two main types of histocompatibility antigens are the human leukocyte antigens (HLA) in humans, which are highly polymorphic and possess a wide range of genetic variations, and the minor histocompatibility antigens.
In summary, histocompatibility antigens are proteins found on the surface of cells that are responsible for initiating immune responses and determining the compatibility between a donor and recipient in transplantation medicine. They are encoded by the major histocompatibility complex and play a vital role in the recognition of self and non-self by the immune system.
Common Misspellings for HISTOCOMPATIBILITY ANTIGEN
- gistocompatibility antigen
- bistocompatibility antigen
- nistocompatibility antigen
- jistocompatibility antigen
- uistocompatibility antigen
- yistocompatibility antigen
- hustocompatibility antigen
- hjstocompatibility antigen
- hkstocompatibility antigen
- hostocompatibility antigen
- h9stocompatibility antigen
- h8stocompatibility antigen
- hiatocompatibility antigen
- hiztocompatibility antigen
- hixtocompatibility antigen
- hidtocompatibility antigen
- hietocompatibility antigen
- hiwtocompatibility antigen
- hisrocompatibility antigen
- hisfocompatibility antigen
Etymology of HISTOCOMPATIBILITY ANTIGEN
The word "histocompatibility" comes from the combination of two words: "histo-" and "compatibility".
- "Histo-" is derived from the Greek word "histos", which means "tissue".
- "Compatibility" originates from the Latin word "compatibilis", which means "capable of existing together".
"Antigen", on the other hand, derives from the combination of "anti-" and "gen".
- "Anti-" comes from the Greek word "anti", meaning "against" or "opposite".
- "Gen" is derived from the Greek word "genos", which means "race" or "kind".
Therefore, the term "histocompatibility antigen" indicates an antigen that is relevant to the compatibility between tissues of different individuals or races.
