Chemicals and Drugs

Histocompatibility Antigens Class II

Large, transmembrane, non-covalently linked glycoproteins (alpha and beta). Both chains can be polymorphic although there is more structural variation in the beta chains. The class II antigens in humans are called HLA-D ANTIGENS and are coded by a gene on chromosome 6. In mice, two genes named IA and IE on chromosome 17 code for the H-2 antigens. The antigens are found on B-lymphocytes, macrophages, epidermal cells, and sperm and are thought to mediate the competence of and cellular cooperation in the immune response. The term IA antigens used to refer only to the proteins encoded by the IA genes in the mouse, but is now used as a generic term for any class II histocompatibility antigen.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Large, transmembrane, non-covalently linked glycoproteins (alpha and beta). Both chains can be polymorphic although there is more structural variation in the beta chains. The class II antigens in humans are called HLA-D ANTIGENS and are coded by a gene on chromosome 6. In mice, two genes named IA and IE on chromosome 17 code for the H-2 antigens. The antigens are found on B-lymphocytes, macrophages, epidermal cells, and sperm and are thought to mediate the competence of and cellular cooperation in the immune response. The term IA antigens used to refer only to the proteins encoded by the IA genes in the mouse, but is now used as a generic term for any class II histocompatibility antigen.

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Synonyms

42 entry terms
  • Antigens, Immune Response
  • Class II Antigen
  • Class II Antigens
  • Class II Histocompatibility Antigen
  • Class II Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Class II MHC Proteins
  • Class II Major Histocompatibility Antigen
  • Class II Major Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Class II Major Histocompatibility Molecules
  • I-A Antigen
  • I-A-Antigen
  • IA Antigen
  • Ia Antigens
  • Ia-Like Antigen
  • Ia-Like Antigens
  • Immune Response Antigens
  • Immune-Response-Associated Antigens
  • MHC Class II Molecule
  • MHC Class II Molecules
  • MHC II Peptide
  • MHC II Peptides
  • MHC-II Molecules
  • Antigen, Class II
  • Antigen, I-A
  • Antigen, IA
  • Antigen, Ia-Like
  • Antigens, Class II
  • Antigens, Ia
  • Antigens, Ia-Like
  • Antigens, Immune-Response-Associated
  • I A Antigen
  • II Peptide, MHC
  • Ia Like Antigen
  • Ia Like Antigens
  • Immune Response Associated Antigens
  • MHC II Molecules
  • Molecules, MHC-II
  • Peptide, MHC II
  • Peptides, MHC II
  • Immune-Associated Antigens
  • Antigens, Immune-Associated
  • Immune Associated Antigens

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

22 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, analysis, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemistry, classification, drug effects, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, therapeutic use, toxicity, ultrastructure, urine.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

human & animal; see also HLA ANTIGENS & specifics for human

MeSH Record

History Note

1989 (1973); use ANTIGENS, IMMUNE RESPONSE 1981-88

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • HLA Antigens (1975-1980)
  • Histocompatibility Antigens (1973-1980)
  • Isoantigens (1973-1980)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D09w.400w.430w.890w.509w
  2. D12.776w.395w.550w.509w
  3. D12.776w.543w.550w.440w
  4. D23.050w.301.500.400w
  5. D23.050w.705.552.410w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Histocompatibility Antigens Class II. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D000949. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D000949
  2. Histocompatibility Antigens Class II. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MHC_class_II
  3. Histocompatibility Antigens Class II. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q959350