Status report from 'double agent HLA': health and disease

Philip Dyer; Roger McGilvray; Victoria Robertson; David Turner

doi:10.1016/j.molimm.2012.08.016

Status report from 'double agent HLA': health and disease

Mol Immunol. 2013 Aug;55(1):2-7. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2012.08.016. Epub 2012 Oct 7.

Authors

Philip Dyer¹, Roger McGilvray, Victoria Robertson, David Turner

Affiliation

¹ Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics Laboratory, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom. [email protected]

PMID: 23046976
DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2012.08.016

Abstract

The human major histocompatibility complex is a multi-gene ~4 Mb of DNA including the highly polymorphic HLA genes which are fundamental in effecting a healthy immune response. Detailed knowledge of the structure and function of HLA genes and their alleles and HLA proteins and their allotypes has rapidly evolved because of their role in clinical transplantation. A significant additional finding is the association or linkage of a wide range of diseases with HLA. We review the function of HLA and the history of disease association studies and focus on specific informative examples in the context of recent genome-wide screening analyses.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Disease* / etiology
Disease* / genetics
Genetic Association Studies / statistics & numerical data
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
HLA Antigens / genetics
HLA Antigens / immunology
HLA Antigens / metabolism
HLA Antigens / physiology*
Health*
Humans
Immunity / genetics
Major Histocompatibility Complex / genetics
Major Histocompatibility Complex / physiology
Models, Biological
Polymorphism, Genetic / physiology

Substances

HLA Antigens