Mauro Minelli, immunologo clinico ed allergologo

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Abstract
In vertebrates the Immune System is an evolution’s product very specialized and complex that is characterized by acquisition of a new type of immunity: the acquired immunity. At the base of regulation of acquired immunity, as homeostatic phenomenon, there are the molecules of major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Historically the MHC’s proteins are subdivided into: molecules of I class, molecules of II class and molecules of III class. The rule of class I and class II molecules is to define the “self”, and to help to recognize the “non self” so Immune System’s molecules react only against the “non self”. Class I and class II molecules are expressed in codominant way and the set of class I genes and the set of class II genes that are expressed on only chromosome are define aplotype, that is transfer to progeny as only unity. Specific aplotipes HLA are associated to genetic susceptibility or to protection towards a large number of diseases: insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, narcolepsy, celiac disease, spondilite anchilosante and rheumatoid arthritis are typical examples. Recently, preliminary studies have indicated that also the hypersensitivity reactions are under genetic control and that part of this control maybe modulated by HLA class II polymorphism.   

Key Words
Acquired immunity, the Major Histocompatibility Complex, Hypersensitivity reactions, Heterodimerus DQ2, Aplotype DR3-DQ2.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Italiano.