1st semester

CALAMBA DOCTORS’ COLLEGE

AY 2022 - 23

MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX

- Found on all nucleated cells in the body.

- Their main function is to bring antigen to the cell surface for recognition by T cells (bec. T cell
activation will occur only when antigen is combined with MHC molecules); present antigen to T
cells to discriminate between self (our cells and tissues) and non self (the invaders or modified
self)
- In humans, these genes are called Human Leukocyte Antigens (French scientist Dausset gave its
name) as they were first discovered through antigenic differences bet. white blood cells from
different individuals.
- 2 main characteristics of MHC that make it difficult for pathogens to evade immune system:
First, it is polygenic. It contains several diff. MHC I and MHC II genes so that every individual
possess a set of MHC molecules with different ranges of peptide-binding specificities.
Second, it is extremely polymorphic. There are multiple variants of each gene within the
population as a whole. The diff. variants that are inherited by an individual from a parent are
known as alleles.
- Genes coding for MHC molecules in humans are found on the short arm of chromosome 6 and
are divided into three categories or classes.
Class I (HLA A, HLA B, HLA C)- expressed on all nucleated cells. Highest on lymphocytes, neural
cells, muscle cells and sperm.
Consist of 2 noncovalently linked polypeptide chains,
Alpha chain - mol weight of 45,000. Folded into 3 domains, alpha 1, alpha 2, alpha 3
Beta 2 microglobulin - mol weight of 12, 000 and is encoded by a single gene on
chromosome 15 that is not polymorphic.
The folding of a1 and a2 domains creates a long cleft or groove that is the site at which
peptide antigens bind to MHC I molecule and are presented to CD8 lymphocyte.

Class II (HLA DP, HLA DQ, HLA DR)- found primarily on antigen-presenting cells, which include B
lymphocytes, monocyte, macrophage, and dendritic cells.

Prepared by: 1
HYGINUS CHRISTIAN PAUL T. AGUILUZ
 1st semester
CALAMBA DOCTORS’ COLLEGE
AY 2022 - 23

A1 and b1 domains come together to form the peptide-binding site, similar to the one
found on class I molecules and are presented to CD4 lymphocyte.

Class III- cytokines, complement proteins

THE COMPLEMENT SYSTEM

The complement system proteins are named with a capital C followed by a number. A small letter after
the number indicates that the protein is a smaller protein resulting from the cleavage of a larger
precursor by a protease. Several complement proteins are cleaved during activation of the complement
system; the fragments are designated with lower case suffixes, such as C3a and C3b. Usually, the larger
fragment is designated as “b” and the smaller fragment as “a.” The exception is the designation of the
C2 fragments; the larger fragment is designated C2a and the smaller fragment is C2b

The classic pathway is initiated by the bonding of the C1 complex, consisting of C1q, C1r, and C1s, to
antibodies bound to an antigen on the surface of a bacterial cell.

The alternative pathway is initiated by contact with a foreign surface such as the polysaccharide coating
of a microorganism and the covalent binding of a small amount of C3b to hydroxyl groups on cell surface
carbohydrates and proteins. The pathway is activated by low-grade cleavage of C3 in plasma.

The mannose-binding lectin pathway is initiated by binding of the complex of mannose-binding lectin
and associated serine proteases (MASP1 and MASP2) to arrays of mannose groups on the surface of a
bacterial cell.

Prepared by: 2
HYGINUS CHRISTIAN PAUL T. AGUILUZ