Major Histocompatibility Complex Antigens in Disease
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Immunology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 402
Special Issue Editors
Interests: immunogenetics and biology of the major histocompatibility complex; genomics; retroelements
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens play a crucial role in the adaptive immune response to infectious agents, cancers, autoimmune diseases, aging, and chronic conditions. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, located within the MHC region, encode proteins responsible for presenting peptide antigens to T cells, thereby triggering immune responses. The highly polymorphic human MHC genes are divided into Class I, II, and III molecules. Classical Class I (HLA-A, B, C) and Class II (HLA-DP, DQ, DR) molecules are essential for recognizing and clearing pathogens. Non-classical Class I molecules, such as HLA-E, HLA-F, and HLA-G, also have roles in disease, although they remain under-researched. Many Class III genes, such as those that code for the cytokines TNF and LTA and the complement proteins C2, CFB and two C4 isotypes, are involved in the immune response, inflammation and disease. In addition, transposable elements (TEs) have emerged as an important source of tumor-specific antigens, which can be presented by MHC molecules and harnessed in cancer immunotherapy.
For this Special Issue on “Major Histocompatibility Complex Antigens in Disease”, we welcome submissions of reviews, original research articles, and commentaries that explore the link between MHC antigens and disease across a wide range of jawed vertebrate species, including sharks, fish, birds, reptiles, monotremes, non-primate mammals, primates, and humans. This Special Issue seeks to highlight the role of MHC antigens in autoimmune and infectious diseases, cancer, transplantation, immunotherapy, and the health of animal populations vulnerable to disease and extinction. Submissions may include research on the genetic diversity of MHC antigens in health and disease, their involvement in autoimmunity, infection, cancer, and transplantation, as well as their influence on immunotherapy outcomes. We also encourage contributions that examine the immunogenicity of TE sequences, both as tumor-specific targets for adaptive immune responses and in cancer immunotherapy. This Special Issue offers an opportunity to advance our understanding of MHC antigen function and disease susceptibility across diverse vertebrate species and contexts.
I hope that you are in agreement with this and we look forward to working with you on this Special Issue.
Best wishes,
Dr. Jerzy K. Kulski
Dr. Charles E. Larsen
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- major histocompatibility complex
- immune response
- human leukocyte antigen (HLA)
- immune function
- disease susceptibility
- pathogen resistance
- antigenic transposable elements
- cancer
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