Abbreviation for Human Leukocyte Antigen, a group of proteins on cell surfaces that help the immune system distinguish between self and non-self cells. Critical for organ transplant compatibility.
Acronym from 'Human Leukocyte Antigen,' with 'leukocyte' from Greek 'leukos' (white) and 'kytos' (cell), and 'antigen' from 'anti-' (against) plus 'gen' (producer). The system was discovered in the 1950s during tissue transplantation research.
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