MHC Structure, Function and Genetics

Question 1

Major Histocompatibility Complex
(MHC)

Answer 1

• Is required for Antigen Recognition by T-cells.
• T cell antigen recognition is restrcitred by MHC
• Example: T cells from Strain A only recognize and kill infected cells from Strain A, not Strain B.

Question 2

Human MHC Genetic Region

Answer 2

• Located on chromosomes 6 and occupies a large segement of DNA (~3500 kb)
• MHC genes can be co-dominantly expressed in each individual.
• MHC genes are the most polymorphic in any mamalian genome.

Question 3

MHC-I Genes

Answer 3

Classical Polymorphic Genes:
Human: HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C
Mouse H2-K, H2-D, H2-L

Most human are heterozygous and can express 6 differnt MHC-I molecules on each cell.
Both mice and humans have additional multiple nonclassical class I gene (Ib).

Question 4

MHC-II Genes

Answer 4

HLA-DP: There is one expressed alpha chain (DPA1) and bete