Prediction of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-peptide binding is a challenging task due to variable length of binding peptides. Different computational methods have been developed; however, each has its own strength and weakness. In order to provide reliable prediction, it is important to design a system that enables the integration of outcomes from various predictors. In this c...

Studies of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of cattle over the past twenty years have revealed a reasonably detailed picture of the genetic organisation and function of the genes within this genetic system. Serological and biochemical analysis of lymphocyte cell surface antigens provided the first evidence for highly polymorphic MHC genes in cattle and other ruminant species. The MHC ...

The transplant of organs is one of the greatest therapeutic achievements of the twentieth century. In organ transplantation, the adaptive immunity is considered the main response exerted to the transplanted tissue, since the principal target of the immune response is the MHC (major histocompatibility complex) molecules expressed on the surface of donor cells. However, we should not forget that ...

Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) play a critical role in immune recognition, and many alleles confer susceptibility to infectious and autoimmune diseases. How these deleterious alleles persist in populations is controversial. One hypothesis postulates that MHC heterozygote superiority emerges over multiple infections because MHC-mediated resistance is generally dominant and m...

The genes of the major histocompatibility complex are the most polymorphic genes in vertebrates, with more than 1,000 alleles described in human populations. How this polymorphism is maintained, however, remains an evolutionary puzzle. Major histocompatibility complex genes have a crucial function in the adaptive immune system by presenting parasite-derived antigens to T lymphocytes. Because of...

T of parts of the MHC has grown substantially within the last year. HE MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY complex (MHC) is an extended cluster of genes that are remarkable for the number and importance of the immunological functions The MHC is of major biomedical interest because of its contribution to transplant rejection and to variation between they encode. Historically, interest in the MHC emanated f...

There are many examples of pathogens adapting toward evasion of immune responses. Viruses, such as influenza, rapidly alter their genetic make-up, and each year there appear to be sufficient susceptible hosts that lack memory lymphocytes from previous influenza infections to give rise to a new epidemic (Both et al. 1983; Smith et al. 1999). During human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, s...

—Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are closely related to disease resistance and immune response in vertebrates. Although many groups are well represented in the MHC literature, less attention has been given to reptiles. Here we summarize reptile MHC studies, review published accounts investigating links between MHC polymorphism, parasite resistance, and mate choice, evaluate ...

One of the important components of the immune system, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules allow T-lymphocytes to detect cells, such as macrophages, B-lymphocytes, and dendritic cells that ingest infectious microorganisms or the self-cells infected with microorganism. On being engulfed a microorganism, macrophage partially digests it and displays peptide fragments of the microbe...