Human leukocyte antigen complex

The Human Leukocyte Antigen complex or HLA complex is a group of proteins that "helps the immune system distinguish the body's own proteins from proteins made by foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria". It is the human version of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), which is also found in certain non-human species.

Autoimmune disease
HLA associations in the genes of patients are considered to be a classic indicator that is a disease is autoimmune disease in nature.

ME/CFS
A number of different studies by Mella et al. in Norway have found associations between HLA genes and ME/CFS patients meeting the Canadian Consensus Criteria, suggesting ME/CFS may be an autoimmune illness.

Learn more

 * Histocompatibility complex - Genetics home reference - US Library of Medicine