HLA ANTIGENS Meaning and
Definition
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HLA antigens, or human leukocyte antigens, are a set of proteins present on the surface of cells in the human body. They are part of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) system, which plays a crucial role in the immune response and identifying foreign substances.
HLA antigens are highly diverse and are inherited from both parents, making each person's HLA profile unique. They are found on almost every cell in the body, with a particularly high concentration on white blood cells called leukocytes. HLA antigens can be classified into two main groups: class I and class II.
Class I HLA antigens are present on the surface of most cells and help the immune system recognize and destroy infected or cancerous cells. They play a critical role in the detection of self and non-self cells by presenting intracellular molecules to cytotoxic T cells.
Class II HLA antigens are mainly found on immune system cells known as antigen-presenting cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells, and B cells. They interact with helper T cells to initiate and regulate immune responses. Class II HLA antigens present extracellular antigens from infectious agents, such as bacteria or viruses, to T cells, triggering the immune response.
HLA antigens are instrumental in determining compatibility in organ and tissue transplantation as well as in identifying disease susceptibility and genetic associations. They are involved in the recognition of foreign substances, the development of immune responses, and the maintenance of self-tolerance. HLA antigens play a crucial role in immunology and transplantation medicine.
Common Misspellings for HLA ANTIGENS
- hla antigens
- gla antigens
- bla antigens
- nla antigens
- jla antigens
- ula antigens
- yla antigens
- hka antigens
- hpa antigens
- hoa antigens
- hlz antigens
- hls antigens
- hlw antigens
- hlq antigens
- hla zntigens
- hla sntigens
- hla wntigens
- hla qntigens
- hla abtigens
- hla amtigens
- hlaantigens
Etymology of HLA ANTIGENS
The word "HLA antigens" is derived from the initials of Human Leukocyte Antigens.
The term "antigen" comes from the combination of two Greek words, "anti" meaning "against" or "opposite", and "gen" meaning "to produce". It was coined in the early 20th century to describe a substance that elicits an immune response in organisms, resulting in the production of antibodies.
"HLA" refers to the Human Leukocyte Antigens, which are cell surface proteins that play a crucial role in the immune system. The term was introduced in the mid-20th century to describe a group of genetic loci that code for these cell surface proteins. Initially, they were identified as antigens present on leukocytes (white blood cells), which led to the name "Human Leukocyte Antigens".
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