Doherty P C, Zinkernagel R M
Lancet. 1975 Jun 28;1(7922):1406-9. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(75)92610-0.
A central function of the major histo-compatibility (H) antigens may be to signal changes in self to the immune system. Virus-induced modification of strong transplantation antigens apparently results in recognition by thymus-derived lymphocytes (T cells), with subsequent clonal expansion and immune elimination of cells bearing non-self determinants. The extreme genetic polymorphism found in the major H antigen systems of higher vertebrates may reflect evolutionary pressure exerted by this immunological surveillance mechanism.
主要组织相容性（H）抗原的一个核心功能可能是向免疫系统发出自身变化的信号。病毒诱导的强移植抗原修饰显然会导致胸腺来源的淋巴细胞（T细胞）识别，随后克隆扩增并免疫清除携带非自身决定簇的细胞。在高等脊椎动物的主要H抗原系统中发现的极端遗传多态性可能反映了这种免疫监视机制所施加的进化压力。
