Histocompatibility Genes

Human immune system Variable region of antibodies, histocompatibility genes... 

Thornhill, R., Gangestad, S.W., Miller, R., Scheyd, G., McCullough, J.K. and Franklin, M. (2003) Major histocompatibility genes, symmetry and body scent attractiveness in men and women. Behav. Ecol. 14, 668-678. 

Kaappes, D., and J. L. Strominger, Human class II major histocompatibility genes and proteins. Ann. Rev. Biochem. 57 991-1028, 1988. 

HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX The set of histocompatibility genes that are important in the acceptance or rejection of tissue grafts. 

Over the past 2 years, observations from our own laboratories, as well as those of others, have demonstrated the involvement of histocompatibility gene products in governing the cell-cell interactions concerned with development and regulation of immune responses in several species " . These discoveries have placed the products of the major histocompatibility complex on a more complex level of biologic function than was heretofore generally considered. ... 

In this section, we shall review the data that have demonstrated genetic restrictions of T-B lymphocyte interactions and of the interactions between macrophages and T lymphocytes. The conclusion we draw from these findings is that the development of functional T cells and the regulatory role of T lymphocytes in immune responses, which appears to be related to control of differentiation processes of other lymphocytes of both T and B classes, is mediated via molecules that are comprised, at least in part, of gene products of the major histocompatibility gene complex expressed on the surface membranes of such cells. 

The data that will be reviewed in this section demonstrate that the participation of histocompatibility gene products in cell-cell interactions reflects a physiological control mechanism utilizing readily accessible structures that are dynamic constituents of the surface membranes of lymphoid cells. We wish to emphasize at the outset, however, that like other physiologic control mechanisms, it is not an absolute system in the sense of precluding alternate, albeit perhaps less efficient routes to the same end. 

Evidence for the participation of histocompatibility gene products in macrophage—T cell interactions... 

Evidence for the relationship of histocompatibility gene products to each other in nature and function... 

The observations discussed in this section have pointed out the involvement of the histocompatibility gene complex in the various cell interactions that normally transpire in the development and regulation of immune responses. This... 

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