*1Adegboro, B., 2Kolawole, O. M., 3Lawani, O., 2Folahan, F., and 2Seriki, A. A.
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
2Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health Research Group, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
3Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin *Correspondence to: boazadegboro@gmail.com
Abstract:
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) locus is a group of genes located on the short arm of chromosome 6 in human that code for proteins on the cell surface. They have important roles in immune response by the cells of immune system. Using a comprehensive search method on Google Scholar and PubMed databases, literatures on MHC published in English until 2021 were searched with the terms; “MHC”, “HLA”, “MHC antigen presentation” and “MHC roles in infections”. Relevant publications were identified, screened for duplicates and selected per eligibility. The review highlights the different haplotypes of the MHC that either enhance or depress the body immune system to some important viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. The possibility of utilizing this knowledge in genetic engineering and immunomodulation, to prevent infectious diseases and cancers, are discussed. Continue reading “A review of the roles of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules in infections”