hla antigen: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Medical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “hla antigen” mean?
A protein marker found on the surface of most cells in the body that helps the immune system distinguish the body's own cells from foreign substances.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A protein marker found on the surface of most cells in the body that helps the immune system distinguish the body's own cells from foreign substances.
A specific molecule of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in humans, crucial for immune recognition and a key determinant in organ transplant compatibility and susceptibility to certain autoimmune diseases.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling conventions for related terms follow regional norms (e.g., 'haematopoietic' vs. 'hematopoietic').
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and restricted to professional/technical contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “hla antigen” in a Sentence
The donor's HLA antigens were [adjective: closely] matched.Patients were screened for [specific type: HLA-B27] antigen.The [noun: gene] encodes an HLA antigen.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hla antigen” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The cells were found to HLA-type as A2, B7.
- We need to HLA-match the donor and recipient.
American English
- The lab will HLA-type the sample.
- Surgeons must HLA-match the patient with a donor.
adverb
British English
- The pairs were HLA-identically matched.
- The groups were HLA-similarly composed.
American English
- The donor was HLA-closely matched to the recipient.
- The samples were HLA-sufficiently compatible.
adjective
British English
- The HLA-matching process is critical for transplant success.
- She is HLA-B27 positive.
American English
- The HLA-compatibility report is pending.
- He has an HLA-associated risk factor.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Exclusively used in immunology, genetics, transplant medicine, and related biomedical research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Extremely rare; only encountered in detailed discussions of organ donation or specific autoimmune disease diagnoses.
Technical
The primary register. Used in clinical lab reports, transplant protocols, genetic studies, and medical consultations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hla antigen”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hla antigen”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hla antigen”
- Pronouncing 'HLA' as a word ('huh-la') instead of letter-by-letter ('H-L-A').
- Using 'HLA' as a countable noun without 'antigen' or 'gene' (e.g., 'He has a different HLA' is vague; prefer 'He has different HLA antigens').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Blood type (ABO) is a different antigen system. HLA antigens are found on almost all nucleated cells and are far more complex, playing a central role in immune system recognition.
The immune system attacks cells with unfamiliar HLA antigens. A close HLA match between donor and recipient means the recipient's immune system is less likely to recognise the transplanted organ as foreign and reject it.
It can indicate genetic susceptibility or strong association with certain diseases (especially autoimmune disorders like type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis), but it is not a definitive predictive test for developing the disease.
Siblings have a 25% chance of being a perfect HLA match, a 50% chance of being a half-match, and a 25% chance of being completely mismatched, as they inherit HLA genes from both parents.
A protein marker found on the surface of most cells in the body that helps the immune system distinguish the body's own cells from foreign substances.
Hla antigen is usually technical/medical/scientific in register.
Hla antigen: in British English it is pronounced /ˌeɪtʃ.el.ˈeɪ ˈæn.tɪ.dʒən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌeɪtʃ.el.ˈeɪ ˈæn.tɪ.dʒən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms exist for this highly technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'Human ID Card': HLA Antigens are like identity cards on your cells that your immune system checks.
Conceptual Metaphor
The body's cellular ID system / The immune system's recognition barcode.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'HLA' stand for in 'HLA antigen'?