immunogenetics

Immunogenetics is a branch of immunology that studies the relationship between heredity, disease, and the immune system. It explores how genes influence the body's ability to recognize "self" from "non-self" molecules, a crucial aspect of immunity.12

A key component of this is the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), a group of genes found in vertebrates that code for proteins on cell surfaces. These proteins help the immune system identify foreign substances. In humans, this system is known as the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system. MHC molecules are vital for T lymphocytes to detect infected cells and are also involved in tissue transplantation compatibility. Immunogenetics also examines blood group antigens, which are genetically determined and have been used in paternity testing.342