HLA-C Human
Description
HLA-C is fused to a 23 amino acid His-tag at N-terminus & purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is a set of cell surface proteins essential for the acquired immune system to recognize foreign molecules in vertebrates, which in turn determines histocompatibility. MHC molecules are divided into two primary classes: MHC class I and MHC class II. This article focuses on MHC class I, specifically the HLA-C molecule, and its recombinant form.
MHC class I molecules are heterodimers composed of a heavy chain (α chain) and a light chain (β2-microglobulin). The heavy chain is encoded by the HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) genes, which include HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C . The primary function of MHC class I molecules is to present peptide fragments derived from intracellular proteins to cytotoxic T cells (CTLs). This presentation is crucial for the immune system to detect and eliminate infected or malignant cells .
HLA-C is one of the three classical MHC class I molecules in humans. It is less polymorphic compared to HLA-A and HLA-B but plays a significant role in immune response. HLA-C molecules are expressed on the surface of almost all nucleated cells and present endogenous peptides to CTLs . The interaction between HLA-C and CTLs is vital for the immune system’s ability to target and destroy cells that are infected with viruses or have become cancerous .
Recombinant HLA-C refers to the HLA-C molecule that has been produced using recombinant DNA technology. This involves inserting the gene encoding HLA-C into a suitable expression system, such as bacteria or mammalian cells, to produce the protein in vitro. Recombinant HLA-C is used in various research applications, including studying the immune response, developing vaccines, and designing immunotherapies .
- Immunotherapy: Recombinant HLA-C is used to develop therapies that can enhance the immune system’s ability to fight cancer and infectious diseases. By understanding how HLA-C presents peptides to CTLs, researchers can design strategies to boost the immune response against tumors and pathogens .
- Vaccine Development: Studying the interaction between HLA-C and CTLs helps in the design of vaccines that can elicit strong cellular immune responses. This is particularly important for vaccines against viruses that evade the immune system by hiding within host cells .
- Transplantation: HLA-C typing is crucial in organ transplantation to ensure compatibility between donors and recipients. Recombinant HLA-C can be used to develop assays for precise HLA typing, reducing the risk of transplant rejection .
