HLA

American  

Immunology.

1. human leukocyte antigen: any of a complex of genetically determined antigens, occurring on the surface of almost every human cell, by which one person's cells can be distinguished from another's and the histocompatibility and genetic likeness of any two persons can be established: the major histocompatibility antigen of humans.

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Etymology

Origin of HLA

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

HLA

According to the Department of Economy, more than 2,100 students were enrolled on an HLA course in an FE College in Northern Ireland in 2024/25.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

Their experiments showed that removing surface proteins known as HLA class 1 molecules allowed NK cells to avoid attack from T cells in the host’s immune system.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2025

“Measure HLA does not apply when non-city entities, public or private, carry out their own projects in the City’s streets,” L.A.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 10, 2025

“However, HLA does not apply to Metro projects.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 3, 2025

Day wouldn’t have understood the concept of immortal cells or HLA markers coming from anyone, accent or not—he’d only gone to school for four years of his life, and he’d never studied science.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot