Biomaterial Database

Molecular genetics of human major histocompatibility complex: clinical applications. 1986

J Partanen, and S Koskimies

Techniques in molecular biology have proved to be very useful in the study of the biology and genetics of the MHC. In particular we have been able to study the Class II gene region in more detail. It is very important because most of the clinical interest of MHC has been focused on the Class II: Certain Class II alleles are strongly associated with autoimmune diseases, and Class II molecules play a crucial role in the interactions between the cells in immune response. DNA polymorphism studies (RFLP) have shown us that polymorphism of MHC genes seems to be considerable. Other close associations between diseases and Class II markers than using serological HLA typings have been found. Molecular cloning of the Class III genes has allowed us to analyse the molecular basis of the complement protein deficiencies, which are often associated with autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, cloning of the genes coding for steroid 21-hydroxylase has revealed the reason for the linkage between CAH and HLA, and has given a possibility for prenatal diagnosis of this disease at the DNA level.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008285	Major Histocompatibility Complex	The genetic region which contains the loci of genes which determine the structure of the serologically defined (SD) and lymphocyte-defined (LD) TRANSPLANTATION ANTIGENS, genes which control the structure of the IMMUNE RESPONSE-ASSOCIATED ANTIGENS, HUMAN; the IMMUNE RESPONSE GENES which control the ability of an animal to respond immunologically to antigenic stimuli, and genes which determine the structure and/or level of the first four components of complement.	Histocompatibility Complex,Complex, Histocompatibility,Complex, Major Histocompatibility,Complices, Histocompatibility,Complices, Major Histocompatibility,Histocompatibility Complex, Major,Histocompatibility Complices,Histocompatibility Complices, Major,Major Histocompatibility Complices
D011110	Polymorphism, Genetic	The regular and simultaneous occurrence in a single interbreeding population of two or more discontinuous genotypes. The concept includes differences in genotypes ranging in size from a single nucleotide site (POLYMORPHISM, SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE) to large nucleotide sequences visible at a chromosomal level.	Gene Polymorphism,Genetic Polymorphism,Polymorphism (Genetics),Genetic Polymorphisms,Gene Polymorphisms,Polymorphism, Gene,Polymorphisms (Genetics),Polymorphisms, Gene,Polymorphisms, Genetic
D003165	Complement System Proteins	Serum glycoproteins participating in the host defense mechanism of COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION that creates the COMPLEMENT MEMBRANE ATTACK COMPLEX. Included are glycoproteins in the various pathways of complement activation (CLASSICAL COMPLEMENT PATHWAY; ALTERNATIVE COMPLEMENT PATHWAY; and LECTIN COMPLEMENT PATHWAY).	Complement Proteins,Complement,Complement Protein,Hemolytic Complement,Complement, Hemolytic,Protein, Complement,Proteins, Complement,Proteins, Complement System
D006238	Haploidy	The chromosomal constitution of cells, in which each type of CHROMOSOME is represented once. Symbol: N.	Haploid,Haploid Cell,Cell, Haploid,Cells, Haploid,Haploid Cells,Haploidies,Haploids
D006680	HLA Antigens	Antigens determined by leukocyte loci found on chromosome 6, the major histocompatibility loci in humans. They are polypeptides or glycoproteins found on most nucleated cells and platelets, determine tissue types for transplantation, and are associated with certain diseases.	Human Leukocyte Antigen,Human Leukocyte Antigens,Leukocyte Antigens,HL-A Antigens,Antigen, Human Leukocyte,Antigens, HL-A,Antigens, HLA,Antigens, Human Leukocyte,Antigens, Leukocyte,HL A Antigens,Leukocyte Antigen, Human,Leukocyte Antigens, Human
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000312	Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital	A group of inherited disorders of the ADRENAL GLANDS, caused by enzyme defects in the synthesis of cortisol (HYDROCORTISONE) and/or ALDOSTERONE leading to accumulation of precursors for ANDROGENS. Depending on the hormone imbalance, congenital adrenal hyperplasia can be classified as salt-wasting, hypertensive, virilizing, or feminizing. Defects in STEROID 21-HYDROXYLASE; STEROID 11-BETA-HYDROXYLASE; STEROID 17-ALPHA-HYDROXYLASE; 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3-HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASES); TESTOSTERONE 5-ALPHA-REDUCTASE; or steroidogenic acute regulatory protein; among others, underlie these disorders.	Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia,Hyperplasia, Congenital Adrenal,Adrenal Hyperplasias, Congenital,Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasias,Hyperplasias, Congenital Adrenal
D001327	Autoimmune Diseases	Disorders that are characterized by the production of antibodies that react with host tissues or immune effector cells that are autoreactive to endogenous peptides.	Autoimmune Disease,Disease, Autoimmune,Diseases, Autoimmune
D014181	Transplantation Immunology	A general term for the complex phenomena involved in allo- and xenograft rejection by a host and graft vs host reaction. Although the reactions involved in transplantation immunology are primarily thymus-dependent phenomena of cellular immunity, humoral factors also play a part in late rejection.	Immunology, Transplantation