MHC Class I

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules form an integral part of the immune response system. They are cell-surface receptors that bind peptides and present them to T lymphocytes. HLA-A, -B and -C encode membrane anchored heavy chains which heterodimerize with a light chain (b-2-Microglobulin) to form MHC-I. Polymorphisms yield hundreds of HLA-A, -B and -C alleles.

MHC class I molecules are one of two primary classes of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules (the other being MHC class II) and are found on the cell surface of all nucleated cells in the bodies of jawed vertebrates. In humans, the HLAs corresponding to MHC class I are HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C.