Clinical Role of Human Leukocyte Antigen in Health and Disease. (10th September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mosaad, Y. M.
• Is Part Of: Scandinavian journal of immunology. Volume 82:Number 4(2015:Oct.)
• Page Start: 283
• Page End: 306
• Publication Date: 2015-09-10
• Subjects: Immunology -- Periodicals; 571.96
• DOI: 10.1111/sji.12329
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-9475

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="sji12329-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Most of the genes in the major histocompatibility complex (<italic>MHC</italic>) region express high polymorphism that is fundamental for their function. The most important function of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecule is in the induction, regulation of immune responses and the selection of the T cell repertoire. A clinician's attention is normally drawn to a system only when it malfunctions. The HLA system is no exception in this regard, but in contrast to other systems, it also arouses interest when it functions well – too well, in fact. Population studies carried out over the last several decades have identified a long list of human diseases that are significantly more common among individuals that carry particular <italic>HLA</italic> alleles including inflammatory, autoimmune and malignant disorders. HLA‐disease association is the name of this phenomenon, and the mechanism underlying is still a subject of hot debate. Social behaviours are affected by <italic>HLA</italic> genes and preference for <italic>HLA</italic> disparate mates may provide 'good genes' for an individual's offspring. Also, certain <italic>HLA</italic> genes may be associated with shorter life and others with longer lifespan, but the effects depend both on the genetic background and on the environmental conditions. The following is a general overview of the important functional aspects of HLA in health and diseases.</p> </abstract>