What does MHC and HLA stand for? What do they do?
What does MHC and HLA stand for? What do they do?
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is important for adaptive immunity. MHC molecules are found in all nucleated cells of the body except the red blood cells. There are two types of MHC molecules, MHC class-I and MHC class-II molecules which perform the similar function. However, these molecules differ in the their protein structure. If the receptor of the cytotoxic T-cell attaches to a MHC molecule, it triggers the apoptosis of the cell, or triggers the replication of T-cells to destroy the pathogen.
The HLA refers to a group of proteins which are encoded by MHC genes. The HLA genes are highly polymorphic, meaning that they have many alleles. Because of this the adaptive immune system is able to illicit an immune response against a large number of pathogens. These genes encode the MHC molecules.
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