HLA genetics and disease with particular reference to Type 1 diabetes and HIV infection in Asian Indians.
Recent compilation of the human genome sequence and studies on the structural organization of molecules encoded in the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) have helped in defining the functional role of their gene products in the host immune response. Confirmation of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele association with prominent autoimmune and infectious diseases has rediscovered the field with major efforts directed towards understanding the underlying mechanisms. Sequence determination of the associated alleles and/or their extended haplotypes explains how the peptides (pathogen-derived and/or autoantigens) interact with specific pockets on the MHC motif for ultimate inspection by the T cells. As there is a selective predominance of different HLA alleles and haplotypes in different populations, a dedicated screening effort is required at the global level to define the common HLA supertypes with shared peptide-binding abilities. This could be a way forward for the design and development of MHC-based vaccines against a variety of disease states.
Mehra
Narinder
N
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Transplant Immunology & Immunogenetics Ansari Nagar New Delhi - 110 029, India. narin98@hotmail.com
Kaur
Gurvinder
G