HLA

noun

ˌāch-(ˌ)el-ˈā 

1

: the major histocompatibility complex in humans

2

: a genetic locus, gene, or antigen of HLA

—often used with one or more letters to designate a locus or with letters and a number to designate an allele at the locus or the antigen corresponding to the locus and allele

Examples of HLA in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bone-marrow transplants are most successful when donor and recipient share the same markers, known as HLA, which are protein tags our cells use to distinguish self from nonself. —Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2024

In the soon-to-start lupus study, Caribou intends to use HLA partial matching between patients and the donor T cells that could improve outcomes, the company said. —Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 5 Apr. 2024

Also, the changes in HLA genes only explain about 40% of the genetic risk for type 1 diabetes. —Amanda Gardner, Health, 20 Nov. 2023

In the last five years, researchers have identified a deeper level within HLA called eplet matching that seems to make a big difference. —Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

human leukocyte antigen

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

HLA

noun

variants also HL-A

ˌā-(ˌ)chel-ˈā 

1

: the major histocompatibility complex in humans

2

: a genetic locus, gene, or antigen of the major histocompatibility complex in humans

—often used attributively

HLA antigens

HLA typing

—often used with one or more letters to designate a locus or with letters and a number to designate an allele at the locus or the antigen corresponding to the locus and allele

relationship … between HLA-B27 antigen and ankylosing spondylitis

—G. E. Ehrlich

Etymology

human leukocyte antigen