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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
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
When the kit is returned, the laboratory looks for a specific protein, human leukocyte antigens (HLA).
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 17 Feb. 2023
Yet in essence, two different immune cells—known as helper T (or CD4+) cells and killer T (or CD8+) cells—and molecules known as human leukocyte antigen (HLA) receptors—seem to play the most important roles.
—Bruce D. Walker, Scientific American, 1 July 2012
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Word History
First Known Use
1978, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of human leukocyte antigen was
in 1978
Dictionary Entries Near human leukocyte antigen
Cite this Entry
“Human leukocyte antigen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human%20leukocyte%20antigen. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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
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