Dictionary
major histocompatibility complex
noun
Definition of MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX
: a group of genes in mammals that code for cell-surface polymorphic glycoprotein molecules which display antigenic peptide fragments for T cell recognition and aid in the ability of the immune system to determine self from nonself
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First Known Use of MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX
1972
Medical Dictionary
major histocompatibility complex
noun
Medical Definition of MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX
: a group of genes in mammals that function especially in determining the histocompatibility antigens found on cell surfaces and that in humans comprise the alleles occurring at four loci on the short arm of chromosome 6—abbreviation MHC
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