human leukocyte antigen

noun

: any of various proteins that are encoded by genes of the major histocompatibility complex in humans and are found on the surface of many cell types (such as white blood cells)

broadly : hla sense 2

Examples of human leukocyte antigen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Your immune system does this by recognizing proteins called human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) that are on the surface of most cells in your body.3 Your body's HLA markers are unique to you. —Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 2 May 2025

Then Her Husband Does Something That Makes Her Cry (Exclusive) Like with any stem cell transplant, the donor and recipient must be a human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match. —Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025

In those cases, doctors try to match patients with donors by typing a marker in their blood called human leukocyte antigen, or HLA. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 19 Sep. 2024

The relevant set of genes is known as the human leukocyte antigen, or HLA. —Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2023

To figure out how some people manage to fend off covid symptoms, researchers turned to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, which play a critical role in our body’s ability to recognize and fight pathogens. —Aara'l Yarber, Anchorage Daily News, 19 July 2023

The protein in question is called human leukocyte antigen, or HLA. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 19 July 2023

Matches are based on human leukocyte antigen or HLA typing. —Isabella Volmert, Dallas News, 22 June 2023

This test looks at human leukocyte antigens (HLAs), molecules that make up a person’s tissue type. —Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 18 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

human leukocyte antigen

noun

: any of various proteins that are encoded by genes of the major histocompatibility complex in humans and are found on the surface of many cell types (as white blood cells)

broadly : hla sense 2