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Updated: Dec 22, 2025

Stability and Structure of Bat Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I with Heterologous β2-Microglobulin
Published on: March 10, 2021
Comparative genetics of the major histocompatibility complex in humans and nonhuman primates
Corrine M C Heijmans1, Natasja G de Groot1, Ronald E Bontrop1,2
1Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is one of the most gene-dense regions of the mammalian genome. Multiple genes within the human MHC (HLA) show extensive polymorphism, and currently, more than 26,000 alleles divided over 39 different genes are known. Nonhuman primate (NHP) species are grouped into great and lesser apes and Old and New World monkeys, and their MHC is studied mostly because of their important role as animal models in preclinical research or in connection with conservation biology purposes. The evolutionary equivalents of many of the HLA genes are present in NHP species, and these genes may also show abundant levels of polymorphism. This review is intended to provide a comprehensive comparison relating to the organization and polymorphism of human and NHP MHC regions.
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