What is human leukocyte antigen ?

Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) refers to a group of proteins encoded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on chromosome 6. These proteins play a critical role in the immune system by presenting peptide fragments from pathogens to T cells, thus triggering immune responses. The HLA system is vital for recognizing foreign substances, making it a cornerstone of adaptive immunity.

AnyGenes offers cutting-edge qPCR arrays designed for high-throughput analysis of HLA genes, facilitating research into their roles in immunity, transplantation, and disease pathology. Our arrays are customizable and applicable across various species, supporting a wide range of research endeavors.

Discover our advanced qPCR arrays for Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) research.

Map of the human HLA

The complex is conventionally divided into three regions: I, II, and III. Each region contains numerous loci (genes), only some of which are shown. Abbreviations: tapasin (TAPBP); large multifunctional proteases 1 and 2 (LMP1 and LMP2 respectively); transporter associated with antigen processing 1 and 2 (TAP1 and TAP2 respectively); complement components 2, 4A and 4B (C2, C4A and C4B respectively); complement factor B (BF); heat-shock protein 1A A-type, heat-shock protein 1A B-type, and heat-shock protein 1A–like (HSPA1A, HSPA1B and HSPA1L respectively); lymphotoxins A and B (LTA and LTB respectively); tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α); major histocompatibility complex class I chain genes A and B (MICA and MICB respectively) (graphic from Castiblanco J, Anaya JM. 2015).

Human leukocyte antigen types

HLA molecules are glycoproteins that present antigens to T lymphocytes. It categorized into two main classes:

Class I HLA Molecules: These include HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C. They are present on nearly all nucleated cells and present endogenous antigens (from within the cell) to CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. This process is crucial for eliminating infected or cancerous cells.
Class II HLA Molecules: Comprising HLA-DP, HLA-DQ, and HLA-DR, these molecules are primarily expressed on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells. They present exogenous antigens (from outside the cell) to CD4+ helper T cells, which are vital for orchestrating the immune response.

HLA and transplantation

HLA matching is crucial in organ transplantation to reduce the risk of rejection. The more closely the donor and recipient HLA types match, the better the chances of transplant success. HLA typing is a standard procedure before transplants to identify compatible donors.

HLA typing employs various techniques, which include Serological Methods and Molecular Techniques.

Human leukocyte antigen and diseases

Numerous studies have established strong associations between specific HLA alleles and various diseases. For example:

Autoimmune Diseases: Certain HLA types are linked to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes.
Infectious Diseases: The HLA system influences susceptibility to infections like tuberculosis and HIV. Specific alleles can either confer resistance or increase vulnerability.
Cancer Immunotherapy: HLA molecules play a significant role in cancer treatments by presenting tumor-specific antigens to T cells. Variability in HLA can affect patient responses to immunotherapy.

Therapeutics applications

HLAs are essential for the immune system and have several therapeutic applications.

Transplantation: HLAs are crucial for matching donors and recipients in organ and tissue transplants, improving graft survival and reducing rejection risks.
Autoimmune Diseases: like rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes. Targeted therapies can be developed based on specific HLA associations to manage these conditions.
Cancer Immunotherapy: HLAs enable T cells to recognize tumor antigens. Personalized therapies, such as cancer vaccines and adoptive T cell therapy, enhance immune responses against cancer by utilizing a patient’s HLA profile.
Infectious Diseases: HLAs contribute to the immune response against infections, guiding the development of novel vaccines and therapies for enhanced protection.

Analyze your pathway data with AnyGenes® software

Scientific data is only as powerful as the analysis behind it.

AnyGenes® provides a dedicated data analysis tool specifically developed for SignArrays® pathway panels.

What does it allow you to do?

Automated ΔCq calculation
Normalization with selected housekeeping genes
Comparison of up to 10 experimental conditions
Generation of descriptive statistics
Publication-ready graphs
Exportable tables for manuscripts and presentations

Developed on Excel (compatible with 2007+), the software is user-friendly and requires no advanced bioinformatics skills.

Customize your own signaling pathways (SignArrays®) with the factors of your choice!
Simply download and complete our Personalized SignArrays® information file and send it at [email protected] to initiate your project.

Human leukocyte antigen biomarker list

You can check the biomarker list included in this pathway, see below:

Species : Homo sapiens (human)

Human Leukocyte Antigen

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
Human Leukocyte Antigen	HLA1H1	Download biomarker list

Species : Mus musculus (mouse)

Mouse Major Histocompatibility Complex (H-2)

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
Major Histocompatibility Complex (H-2)	H21M1	Download biomarker list

Species : Rattus norvegicus (rat)

Rat Cell signaling pathway

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
*******	*******	Biomarker list in progress.

Species : Sus Scrofa (Pig)

Pig Cell signaling pathway

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
*******	*******	Biomarker list in progress.

Looking for more answers? Visit our Help & FAQ section to find detailed informations about our products, services, and technical support.

Bibliography

1. Medhasi S, Chantratita N. Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) System: Genetics and Association with Bacterial and Viral Infections. J Immunol Res. (2022)26;2022:9710376..

2. Wang C, et al. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and cancer immunotherapy: HLA-dependent and -independent adoptive immunotherapies. (2020).

3. Crux NB, Elahi S. Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) and Immune Regulation: How Do Classical and Non-Classical HLA Alleles Modulate Immune Response to Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Infections? Front Immunol. (2017)18:8:832.

4. Zhang GL, et al. Human Leukocyte Antigen Typing Using a Knowledge Base Coupled with a High-Throughput Oligonucleotide Probe Array Analysis. Front Immunol. (2014)27;5:597.

5. Cruz-Tapias P, et al. Chapter 10: Major histocompatibility complex: Antigen processing and presentation.

6. Castiblanco J, Anaya JM. Genetics and Vaccines in the Era of Personalized Medicine.Curr Genomics. (2015)16(1):47–59.

Need pricing information or distributor details?
For quotations, product information, or project discussions, please contact our team at [email protected].