major histocompatibility complex

The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is a group of genes that plays a crucial role in the immune system. It helps the body recognize which cells are its own and which are foreign, such as bacteria or viruses. MHC molecules present pieces of these foreign agents on cell surfaces, alerting immune cells to act against them. This recognition process is vital for proper immune responses and is also important in organ transplantation, as mismatched MHC proteins can lead to rejection. Essentially, MHC helps the body distinguish between “self” and “non-self.”