Major histocompatibility complex

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The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a group of approximately 150 connected genes situated on human chromosome 6[1]. The two MHC genes, class I and Class II, are relevant to infection due to their role in antigen presentation. The majority of individuals in the human population can synthesize six alternative class I molecules and the same number of different class II molecules[1]. MHC class I and class II molecules vary between individuals which, due to their role in antigen presentation, means different people present antigens differently[1]. This difference between immune systems, producing a variation in antigen presentation dependent on the individual, results in contrasting vulnerability to different pathogens[1].

References

[1]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Male, D (2007), Immunology, Milton Keynes, The Open University/Milton Keynes, The Open University