Abstract
This chapter discusses the study of Peter Doherty and Rolf Zinkernagel, which shows that antigen do not activate the immune system in their native form. The antigen must be processed within specialized cells, and presented on the surface of these cells in a suitable ‘holder’. This ‘holder’ function is provided by Major Histocompatability Complex (MHC)/Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules. MHC/HLA components are termed antigens because when transferred to another individual they will be recognized as foreign by the recipient's immune system. After the immune system encounters the antigen–HLA complex on the surface of the antigen presenting cell, it gets activated, and the activation is against the antigen–Antigen presenting complex (APC). MHC/HLA system, which has been present in mammals for eons, did not evolve to thwart clinical organ, and cell transplantation.
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