MHC molecule

(ĕm′āch′sē′)

Any of various polymorphic transmembrane proteins that are coded for by the genes of the major histocompatibility complex and that function in the immune system to present foreign antigens to T cells. Class I MHC molecules are found in most nucleated cells and present antigens originating intracellularly, such as virus fragments, to cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Class II MHC molecules are found in dendritic cells, macrophages, and other antigen-presenting cells and present antigens from extracellular pathogens, such as bacteria and parasites, to helper T cells.

[m(ajor) h(istocompatibility) c(omplex) molecule.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Mentioned in

major histocompatibility complex

References in periodicals archive

MHC Class I molecules present peptides derived from endogenous protein onto the surface of antigen-presenting cells whereas MHC Class II molecules is responsible for processing the exogenous antigens.[6] The antigens presented by MHC molecules can be recognized by T cells, thus initiating adaptive immune responses.[7] The differences of MHC molecule amino acid sequence result in distinct host epitope preference and response magnitude to the same antigen.

Human Leukocyte Antigen-A Allele Distribution in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients Showing Anti-Melanoma-Associated Antigen A or Synovial Sarcoma X-2 T Cell Response in Blood

To develop a mouse model of T1D having reduced thymic insulin quantity, and also expressing the human class I MHC molecule HLA-A*02:01, we generated NOD.[[beta].sub.2][m.sup.KO].HHD.[Ins2.sup.het] mice.

An HLA-transgenic mouse model of type 1 diabetes that incorporates the reduced but not abolished thymic insulin expression seen in patients

However, only one MHC class II B locus was identified in Chinese long snout catfish (Shen et al., 2011).In mammals, MHC polymorphism is maintained over long times by positive (balancing) selection at the nonsynonymous sites specifying the PBR of the MHC molecule (Graser et al., 1996).

MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION, POLYMORPHISM AND EXPRESSION ANALYSIS OF SWAMP EEL MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX CLASS II B GENE, AFTER INFECTION BY AEROMONAS HYDROPHILIA

In addition, peptide residues immediately flanking the core region have been indicated to make contact with the MHC molecule outside of the binding groove and to contribute to MHC-peptide interaction [45].

Prediction of epitope-based peptides for the utility of vaccine development from fusion and glycoprotein of Nipah virus using in silico approach

Sometime along its treacherous evolutionary path, HCMV stole a class 1 MHC molecule from its host and modified it for supreme stealth.

Viruses play hide and seek

We first considered the requirement that antigen-specific CTLs must respond to a peptide antigen exposed on the surface of APCs bound to a self class I MHC molecule. If there is an adverse indirect effect on cell-mediated immunity due to PRN exposure, it could result from altered antigen processing and presentation characteristics of the APC.

Propanil exposure induces delayed but sustained abrogation of cell-mediated immunity through direct interference with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte effectors

If an antigen receptor on a B-cell binds to a molecule on an antigen, the antigen will be internalized and a segment of the protein antigen will be presented by an MHC molecule to a T-helper cell.

Immunology made easy: what every trial advocate should know

In the newly discovered compartment that remained, enzymes began to break down the antigen, probably with an MHC molecule standing by to grab the fragment it wants.

A room of their own; finding the place where immune cells process undesirable proteins

It snows that another type of MHC molecule, MHC-II, does a similar job but in a different way, says Lawrence J.

Immune presentation: in the groove II

"Our understanding of the MHC molecule has advanced enormously from this set of papers," says lan A.

Ties that bind