Understanding the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)

Our immune system is a complex network designed to protect us from invading pathogens like bacteria and viruses. A crucial component of this system is the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), a group of genes that code for proteins found on the surface of most cells. These MHC proteins act like billboards, displaying fragments of proteins – both self and non-self – to patrolling immune cells. This allows the immune system to distinguish between the body’s own cells and foreign invaders. There are two main classes of MHC molecules: MHC class I, found on almost