Question 1

What is the Meaning of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)?

Accepted Answer

The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) refers to a cluster of genes in vertebrates, including humans, that encode cell surface proteins essential for the adaptive immune system. These proteins are crucial for immune cells to recognize foreign substances and distinguish them from the body's own healthy cells, acting as molecular billboards presenting peptides to T lymphocytes.

Question 2

What is the Context of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)?

Accepted Answer

Within the human body, MHC molecules are ubiquitously expressed on the surface of most nucleated cells as Class I and on specialized antigen-presenting cells like macrophages, dendritic cells, and B lymphocytes as Class II. Their function is central to immune surveillance, ensuring the immune system can identify and respond appropriately to pathogens while maintaining tolerance to self-antigens, a delicate balance vital for preventing autoimmune conditions.

Question 3

What is the Significance of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)?

Accepted Answer

Understanding MHC is clinically vital for various medical fields, particularly in transplantation medicine, where MHC compatibility between donor and recipient significantly impacts graft acceptance or rejection. Furthermore, specific MHC alleles are associated with susceptibility or resistance to certain autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, influencing diagnostic approaches and potential therapeutic strategies.

Question 4

What is the Mechanism of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)?

Accepted Answer

MHC Class I molecules present peptides derived from intracellular proteins, including viral antigens or tumor proteins, to cytotoxic T lymphocytes, triggering cell destruction if the presented peptide is foreign. Conversely, MHC Class II molecules present peptides derived from extracellular proteins, internalized and processed by antigen-presenting cells, to helper T lymphocytes, initiating broader immune responses like antibody production or macrophage activation.

Question 5

What is the Application of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)?

Accepted Answer

In clinical practice, MHC typing, known as Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) typing in humans, is routinely performed before organ or bone marrow transplantation to minimize immune rejection by matching donor and recipient HLA alleles. This typing is also increasingly used in pharmacogenomics to predict adverse drug reactions or to assess genetic predispositions to autoimmune conditions, guiding personalized treatment plans.

Question 6

What is the Metric of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)?

Accepted Answer

MHC compatibility, specifically HLA typing, is typically assessed through molecular techniques such as PCR-based methods, sequence-based typing, or next-generation sequencing, which determine the specific alleles present at various HLA loci. These laboratory tests provide a detailed genetic profile of an individual's HLA antigens, quantifying the degree of match or mismatch between potential donors and recipients.

Question 7

What is the Risk of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)?

Accepted Answer

Improper management or understanding of MHC in clinical contexts, particularly in transplantation, carries significant risks, primarily graft rejection due to an immune response against mismatched donor MHC molecules. Conversely, insufficient immunosuppression to prevent rejection can lead to graft-versus-host disease in bone marrow transplants, while certain MHC associations can heighten an individual's risk for developing severe autoimmune pathologies or adverse drug reactions.

Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)

Meaning

Context

Significance

Mechanism

Application

Metric

Risk

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