HLA

\\¦ā(ˌ)chelˈā\ noun (-s)

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: human leukocyte antigen

1. : the major histocompatibility complex in humans

2. : a genetic locus, gene, or antigen of the human major histocompatibility complex — often used with one or more letters to designate a locus or with such letters and a number to designate an allele at the locus or the antigen of the major histocompatibility complex corresponding to the locus and allele

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Immunol.

human leukocyte antigen: any of a complex of genetically determined antigens, occurring on the surface of almost every human cell, by which one person's cells can be distinguished from another's and the histocompatibility and genetic likeness of any two persons can be established: the major histocompatibility antigen of humans. Cf. MHC.

[1965-70]

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HLA or HL-A «AYCH EHL AY», adjective.

of or having to do with a system of tissue typing based on the presence in the body of certain antigens: »

Studies of the many HLA types found in the population have also shown that some of them are associated with specific diseases: for example, a high proportion of all patients with some form of arthritis are found to have HLA B27 antigens (London Times).

╂[< h(uman) l(eucocyte) a(ntigen)]