Is allograft rejection a clue to the mechanism promoting MHC polymorphism? Academic Article

abstract

• Extreme polymorphism at MHC loci is generally thought to be maintained by natural selection at a population level. Because allelic MHC molecules differ in their influence on the immune response, polymorphism ensures that the response repertoire is broad and that the group survives microbial challenge. Here Leif Anderson and his colleagues propose a different view, based on the observation that certain pathogens passively acquire MHC antigens from their primary host and carry these antigens into subsequent hosts. An immune response to the pathogen may depend on recognition of the non-self MHC antigens.

authors

• Andersson, Leif

published proceedings

• Immunol Today

author list (cited authors)

• Andersson, L., Pbo, S., & Rask, L.

citation count

• 11

complete list of authors

• Andersson, L||Pääbo, S||Rask, L

publication date

• January 1987

publisher

• Elsevier  Publisher

published in

• Trends in Immunology  Journal

keywords

• Infectious Diseases
• Inflammatory And Immune System
• Vaccine Related

PubMed Central ID

• 25290428

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1016/0167-5699(87)90165-4

start page

• 206

end page

• 209

volume

• 8

issue

• 7-8

URL

• http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0167-5699(87)90165-4