HLA-B8
HLA-B8 is a human leukocyte antigen serotype within the HLA-B serotype group. The serotype is determined by the antibody recognition of antigen B8. This particular serotype is a product of the HLA-B*08 gene group, which is a part of the larger HLA gene complex. HLA-B8 is associated with several autoimmune diseases, including celiac disease, myasthenia gravis, and Addison's disease.
Structure and Function[edit | edit source]
HLA-B8 is a cell surface protein that plays a crucial role in the immune system. It is involved in the presentation of peptides (small proteins) from inside the cell to the immune system. This allows the immune system to recognize and respond to pathogens and other foreign substances.
The HLA-B*08 gene group, which codes for HLA-B8, is located on the short arm of chromosome 6. The gene is highly polymorphic, meaning it has many different forms. This diversity is important for the immune system's ability to respond to a wide range of pathogens.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
HLA-B8 has been associated with a number of autoimmune diseases. These include celiac disease, a condition in which the immune system reacts to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. HLA-B8 is also associated with myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disorder that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles, and Addison's disease, a disorder in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones.
In addition to these associations, HLA-B8 has been implicated in the susceptibility to certain infections, such as hepatitis C and HIV.
Research and Future Directions[edit | edit source]
Research is ongoing to further understand the role of HLA-B8 in disease. This includes studies to identify the specific peptides that HLA-B8 presents to the immune system, as well as investigations into how variations in the HLA-B*08 gene group influence disease risk.
Understanding the role of HLA-B8 in disease could lead to new treatments and preventive strategies. For example, if specific peptides presented by HLA-B8 are found to trigger autoimmune reactions, it may be possible to develop drugs that block these reactions.
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
