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Definition of Histocompatibility complex
1. Noun. A family of fifty or more genes on the sixth human chromosome that code for proteins on the surfaces of cells and that play a role in the immune response.
Medical Definition of Histocompatibility complex
1. A family of fifty or more genes on the sixth human chromosome that code for cell surface proteins and play a role in the immune response.Histocompatibility genes control the production of proteins on the outer membranes of tissue and blood cells, especially lymphocytes, and are vital elements in cell-cell recognition. The proteins also determine the level and type of immune response, and may serve other biochemical or immunologic functions. In the case of allografts, it is necessary to determine whether donor and recipient possess compatible sets of proteins (histocompatibility antigens), to minimise the likelihood of rejection. Histocompatibility testing (HLA tissue typing) provides this information. (05 Mar 2000)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Histocompatibility Complex
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