Major histocompatibility complex

The major histocompatibility complex is a group of genes encoding cell-surface molecules that display peptide fragments for recognition by T cells. Its highly variable alleles shape antigen presentation and immune compatibility.

Antigen presentation: The process by which cells display molecular fragments for recognition by immune cells. MHC molecules provide the surface display system at the center of this process.
Human leukocyte antigen: The name for the human major histocompatibility complex and its encoded molecules. Human MHC genes and proteins are conventionally studied under this name.
Histocompatibility: The degree to which donor and recipient tissues are immunologically compatible. MHC differences are major determinants of whether transplanted tissue is rejected.
CD1: A family of antigen-presenting molecules that displays lipids and other hydrophobic antigens to T cells. Unlike classical MHC, CD1 chiefly presents lipid-based antigens.
Peter Gorer: A British immunologist whose mouse experiments identified blood-group antigens later linked to transplantation. His work helped establish the genetic basis of tissue compatibility.
MHC class I: MHC molecules that present intracellular peptides to CD8 T cells. This class chiefly reports proteins made inside nucleated cells.
Peptide-binding groove: A molecular cleft that binds short peptides for display by MHC molecules. Its shape determines which peptide sequences a given MHC variant can present.
HLA matching: The comparison of donor and recipient HLA types to assess transplant compatibility. Matching selected MHC molecules helps reduce rejection and graft complications.
MR1: An antigen-presenting molecule that displays microbial metabolite derivatives to MAIT cells. MR1 presents small metabolites rather than the peptide repertoire typical of MHC.
George Snell: An American geneticist who identified mouse histocompatibility genes through transplantation experiments. His studies defined the genetic region that became the model for MHC research.

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