HLA-Cw7

HLA-Cw7 is a human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I serotype. HLA-Cw7 is a variant of the HLA-C locus, which plays a crucial role in the immune system. HLA-C molecules, including HLA-Cw7, are expressed on the surface of nearly all nucleated cells and present intracellular peptides (fragments of proteins) to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs, also known as CD8+ T cells). This presentation allows CTLs to recognize and kill infected or cancerous cells.

The HLA-C locus is highly polymorphic, meaning there are many different variants (alleles) of the gene within the human population. HLA-Cw7 is one such allele. The specific sequence variations within the HLA-Cw7 allele dictate the peptides that it can bind and present to CTLs. This variation is important because it influences an individual's susceptibility to certain diseases and their response to infections.

Individuals inherit one HLA-C allele from each parent, meaning they can have two different HLA-C alleles. The presence or absence of HLA-Cw7, in combination with other HLA alleles, can influence the risk of developing autoimmune diseases, viral infections, and certain cancers. HLA-Cw7 has been associated with various diseases, either positively or negatively, depending on the specific disease and the genetic background of the individual. Specific associations require further research and understanding of the complex interplay between HLA alleles and disease pathogenesis.

Typing for HLA-Cw7 is commonly performed using molecular methods, such as sequence-based typing (SBT) or sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes (SSOP). Accurate HLA typing is essential for organ transplantation, as HLA matching between donor and recipient improves the chances of successful engraftment and reduces the risk of rejection. It also has applications in disease association studies and pharmacogenomics.