Explain major histocornpatability complex (mhc), Science

Assignment Help:

Explain Major Histocornpatability Complex (MHC)

Major histocompatability complex is also known as the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA). MHC molecules are important components of the immune response. They permit cells that have been invaded by an infectious organism to be detected by the cells of the immune system called T-lymphocytes or T-cells. The MHC molecules do this by offering fragments of proteins (peptides) belonging to the invader on the surface of the cell. The T-cell recognizes the foreign peptide attached to the MHC molecule and binds to it, an action which stimulates the T-cell to either destroy or cure the infected cell. The MHC, therefore, is a set of genes that code for cell surface glycoproteins. These glycoproteins mark the body cells as 'self' and are divided into two main classes - class I MHC molecules are found on the surface of almost every cell of the body.

Class ll MHC molecules are confined to a few specialized cell types, such as macrophages, B-cells and activated T-cells. Each MHC antigen combination forms a unique complex that is recognized by specific antigen receptors on T-cells as 'self'. T-cell surface proteins CD4 and CD8 greatly enhance the interaction between an antigen presenting cell (APC) and killer T-cell and between AF'C and helper T-cell, respectively. The primary immunological function of MHC molecules, therefore, is to bind and "present" antigenic peptides on the surfaces of cells for recognition (binding) by the antigen- specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) of lymphocytes. The other specific defence mechanism in our body is the antibodies. Let us learn about their role in the immune system and their interaction with antigens.


Related Discussions:- Explain major histocornpatability complex (mhc)

Health management technology, classification of various qualitative & quant...

classification of various qualitative & quantitative health management technologies

Why rainfall is imprtant factor in active soil formation, Why Rainfall is i...

Why Rainfall is imprtant factor in active soil formation Of the various climatic elements that take part in active soil formation, rainfall or precipitation is the most importa

The arctic circle lies at which latitudes, The Arctic Circle lies at which ...

The Arctic Circle lies at which latitudes: At (66 ½oSouth)

Explain the sensory and the motor neurons, Explain the Sensory and  the Mo...

Explain the Sensory and  the Motor Neurons The peripheral nervous system consists of 1. Sensory neurons running from stimulus receptors that inform the central nervous syste

Marshall Island Restoration Plan, What is necessary to restore the Marshall...

What is necessary to restore the Marshall wetland in Margibi County, Liberia? The Marshall wetland has several features , including mangrove swamp, which is being degraded in some

Where the water table intersects the surface, What is the term for groundwa...

What is the term for groundwater emerging naturally at the ground surface, where the water table intersects the surface: Spring is the term for groundwater emerging aturally

Ribonucleic acid (rna) and deoxyribonucleic acid (dna), Ribonucleic acid...

Ribonucleic acid  (RNA) and  deoxyribonucleic acid  (DNA) have  ribose  and deoxyribose as the pentose sugar, respectively. They also differ, to some extent, in possession of  nit

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd