MHC diversity in Individuals and Populations

摘要: The genes encoding the major histocompatibility (MHC) molecules are among most polymorphic known in vertebrates. Since MHC play an important role induction of immune responses, this polymorphism is probably due to selection for increased protection hosts against pathogens. In contrast large population diversity molecules, each individual expresses only a limited number different molecules. This widely believed represent trade-off between maximizing detection foreign antigens, and minimizing loss T cell clones during self tolerance thymus.