ANTH 350 Lecture 9: HLAs
Document Summary
Allows for greater flexibility in dealing with pathogens. Antigens (human leukocyte antigens hls) in mhc recognize body cell"s that have been invaded/ altered by pathogens. But his part of the immune system not equipped to remove pathogens; need another part of immune system. Mhc recognize body cells that have been altered by pathogens. Hlas found in all cells not just white blood cells. Hlas polymorphisms discovered due to work on skin graft rejection. Short arm, chromosome 6; 4 million base pairs. Class 2 found nearest centromeres, class 3 furthest out. 200 genes in region, only 10-20% involved in immunodefense. Hla class ii= alpha and beta chains. Complete set of alleles found on a chromosome= hla haplotype: hla class iii-70ish genes compliment system this enhances abilities of immune systems to clear microbes and damaged cells. Class iii important because aid in immune defense, lises, chemotaxis, histamines response. Class iii also has some genes that don"t relate to immune system at all.
