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HLA System

Meaning

The Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) System is a complex of genes on chromosome 6 that encode cell-surface proteins responsible for the regulation of the immune system, often referred to as the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in humans. These proteins display peptide fragments on the cell surface, allowing T-cells to distinguish between self and non-self, making the HLA system fundamental to immune surveillance, allograft rejection, and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Understanding an individual’s HLA profile is crucial in transplantation medicine and in the clinical diagnosis of certain endocrine-related autoimmune conditions.