HLA-C (Human Leukocyte Antigen-C) belongs to the MHC class I heavy chain receptors. The C receptor is a heterodimer consisting of a HLA-C mature gene product and β2-microglobulin. The mature C chain is anchored in the membrane. MHC Class I molecules, like HLA-C, are expressed in nearly all cells, and present small peptides to the immune system which surveys for non-self peptides. HLA-C is a locus on chromosome 6, which encodes for many HLA-C alleles that are Class-I MHC receptors. HLA-C, localized proximal to the HLA-B locus, is located on the distal end of the HLA region. Most HLA-C:B haplotypes are in strong linkage disequilibrium and many are as ancient as the human species itself.

Disease associations

By serotype

Cw1: multinodular goiters

By allele

C*16: B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Nomenclature

C01 C02 C03 C04 C05 C06 C07 C08 Others

Common haplotype

Cw4-B35 (Western Africa to Native Americans) Cw7-B7 (Western Eurasia, South Africa) Cw7-B8 (Western Eurasia) Cw1-B46 (China, Indochina) Cw5-B44 (Western Eurasia)

Interactions

HLA-C has been shown to interact with: