Expression of hemopoietic histocompatibility antigens on H-2-loss variants of F1 hybrid lymphoma cells: evidence consistent with trans gene regulation

H-2 heterozygous marrow stem cells, lymphoid progenitor cells, and leukemia/lymphoma cells do not express hemopoietic or hybrid histocompatibility (Hh) antigens, which are important transplantation antigens recognized during the rejection of normal or neoplastic hemopoietic cells. The Hh-1b determinant of the H-2b haplotype maps to the D region of H-2. We have tested the hypothesis that gene(s) at or near H-2D of the H-2d haplotype down-regulate the expression of Hh-1b in the trans configuration. We used Abelson leukemia virus-transformed pre-B lymphoma cells (ACCb) of BALB/c X BALB.B (H-2d X H-2b) origin, as well as variant lines of ACCb, which were selected for resistance to monoclonal anti-H-2 antibodies plus complement. B6D2F1 (H-2b X H-2d), C3B6F1 (H-2k X H-2b), or B6 (H-2b) mice were infused with inocula of 5 X 10(6) B6 bone marrow cells (BMC). Proliferation of donor-derived marrow cells was judged in terms of DNA synthesis by measuring the splenic incorporation of 5-iodo(125I)-2'-deoxyuridine (IUdR) 5 days after cell transfer. B6 BMC grew much better in B6 than in F1 hybrid host mice, an expression of "hybrid resistance". As observed previously, the injection of EL-4 (H-2b, Hh-1b) tumor cells prior to infusion of B6 (H-2b, Hh-1b) BMC enhanced the growth of B6 BMC in F1 hybrid mice. Therefore, this in vivo "cold target cell competition" type of assay can be used to detect the expression of Hh-1b antigens. Unlike EL-4 (H-2b) cells, hybrid resistance was not affected by prior infusion of (H-2b X H-2d) heterozygous ACCb cells. In contrast, three ACCb variant cell lines, H-2d-, Ld-Dd-, and Dd-, enhanced the growth of B6 BMC in F1 hosts. The ACCb H-2b- cell line did not affect hybrid resistance to B6 BMC. The loss of gene expression on the H-2d chromosome at or very near the H-2Dd locus is correlated with the appearance Hh-1b, as determined by the in vivo cold target competition assay. These results support the hypothesis that heterozygous cells possess trans-acting, dominant, down-regulatory genes mapping near H-2D that control the Hh-1 phenotype of lymphoid tumor cells.     

H-40, an antigen controlled by an Igh-linked gene and recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. II. Recognition of H-40 as a tumor antigen in leukemic animals

C.B-20 (Ighb) but not (C.B-20 X BALB/c)F1 mice reject BCL1, a sIg+ tumor that spontaneously arose in an Igh congenic BALB/c (Igha) mouse. C.B-20 immune T cells from mice immunized with either BCL1 or BALB/c splenocytes adoptively transfer tumor protection to sublethally irradiated C.B-20 but not BALB/c or (BALB/c X C.B-20)F1 mice. These data suggest that BALB/c and BCL1 share an antigen, which if present in the host prevents the immune cells from eradicating the tumor. The antigen is controlled by H-40, a gene that maps to the C end of the Igh complex, telomeric to Tsu and in the region of Pre-1. The ability of H-40 to act as a tumor antigen for other BALB/c tumors inoculated into C.B-20 hosts was investigated. H-40 did not elicit rejection of P1798 (T lymphoma), Meth A (fibrosarcoma), or MOPC-315 (alpha, lambda myeloma) tumor cells. C.B-20 mice that previously rejected BCL1, however, showed partial resistance to a low challenge dose of the MOPC-104E (mu, lambda myeloma) tumor. These data suggest that H-40 has a differential degree of expression on BALB/c tumor cells. The ability of the adoptively transferred cells to confer protection against BCL1 is abrogated by pretreatment of the cells with anti-Lyt-1 or anti-Lyt-2 antibodies. However, an admixture of anti-Lyt-1- and anti-Lyt-2-treated cells provided protection. These data, together with the results detected by cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity in vitro, indicate that H-40 can serve as a target antigen for tumor rejection by CTL in allogeneic hosts. The implications of the results for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation into leukemic individuals who benefit from a graft vs leukemia effect are discussed.     

Reactivity of the B6.C-H-2bm−1 mutant to the wild-type tumor EL4: Characterization of the serological response

Hyperimmunization of B6.C-H-2^bm?1 (H-2^bm?1), a congenic mutant of C57Bl/6J (B6), with the C57Bl lymphoma EL4 resulted in the induction of antibodies with apparent EL4 specificity. EL4 reactivity was demonstrable in H-2^bm?1 anti-EL4 sera by complement-mediated cytotoxicity, absorption, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. By these same serological tests, H-2^bm?1 anti-EL4 serum was found to be nonreactive with B6 normal lymphoid cells, embryonic fibroblasts, and two fibrosarcomas previously induced in B6 mice by methylcholanthrene. These data suggest that the serological response of H-2^bm?1 to EL4 is directed against tumor-associated antigens on EL4. These findings indicate that congenic mutants which differ from the wild-type strain at MHC Class I subloci, but which do not evoke serological responses to MHC components, may provide convenient sources for preparing serological reagents directed against tumor-specific antigens.     

Mechanisms of Allografted Tumor Rejection: The Roles of T Cells in Allograft Rejection Mediated by a Type of Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophage

Allografted tumor rejection does not occur in the absence of T cells, but the main effector cells responsible for the rejection are allograft-induced macrophages (AIM). We examined the roles of T cells in the AIM-mediated rejection of Meth A (H-2) tumor cells from C57BL/6 (H-2^b) mice. Irradiation of C57BL/6 mice abrogated both the induction of AIM and the allograft rejection. Reconstitution of the irradiated mice with F1 (C57BL/6 X C3H/He: H-2^b/k) bone marrow cells led to the appearance of H-2^b/k haplo-type of AIM exclusively in the rejection site and to allograft rejection, indicating that radiosensitive cells prerequisite for both the induction of AIM and allograft rejection were bone marrow-derived cells, and that the progenitors of AIM existed in the bone marrow cells to be activated into AIM in the rejection site. To understand the role of T cells in the induction of AIM, we used adult-thymectomized, X-irradiated C57BL/6 mice reconstituted with F1 bone marrow (ATXBM). The ATXBM mice could neither induce AIM nor reject allogeneic Meth A cells, whereas adoptive transfer of F1 lymph node T cells to the ATXBM mice restored not only the induction of AIM but also rejection of the allograft. Among the lymph node T cells, CD4⁺, but not CD8⁺, cells were found to be essential for the activation of AIM progenitors to AIM; and CD8⁺ T cells were further required for rejection, at least in part, to enhance the number of AIM in the rejection site.     

Genetic analysis of diabetes in the nonobese diabetic mouse. I. MHC and T cell receptor beta gene expression

Backcross nonobese diabetic (NOD) ((NOD x SWr)F1 x NOD) mice (108 females and 105 males) were typed for MHC, TCR V beta, and monitored for 350 days for the onset of diabetes. The presence of "antipolar" antibodies in the sera and the occurrence of insulitis was examined in a proportion of these backcross mice. There was no difference in the incidence of diabetes in mice heterozygous for TCR V beta b/a vs those homozygous for TCR V beta b/b. Among the 17 diabetics (all female) detected in this backcross, 14/17 were H-2nod/nod but 3/17 were H-2nod/q. This supports a previous observation suggesting that the MHC-linked diabetogenic gene originally thought to be recessive may rather be dominant but have a low penetrance in the heterozygous state. Antipolar autoantibodies were found in both female and male backcross mice, and were similarly distributed in diabetic and nondiabetic mice. There appeared to be no correlation between the level of these auto-antibodies and development of diabetes. The incidence and severity of insulitis was linked to MHC but no influence of TCR genes on insulitis nor an association between insulitis and antipolar antibodies could be demonstrated in this study. Further analyses of H-2nod/nod intercross mice homozygous for TCR V beta a or TCR V beta b are currently underway.     

Genetic regulation of the class conversion of dsDNA-specific antibodies in (NZB × NZW)F1 hybrid

To investigate the possible effects of NZW genes on the class conversion of dsDNA-specific antibodies in NZB X NZW (B/W)F1 hybrids, we measured IgM, IgG1, and IgG2 dsDNA-specific antibodies, using the Crithidia luciliae kinetoplast immunofluorescence test, in NZB, NZW, B/W F1 hybrid, B/W F1 X NZB backcross, and B/W F1 X NZW backcross mice at 4, 7, and 10 months of age. The highest serum levels of IgM dsDNA-specific antibodies were observed in NZB mice at the ages tested; however, the amounts of IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies were scanty. In contrast, a large amount of both IgG1 and IgG2 dsDNA-specific antibodies was produced in B/W F1 hybrids, in which the serum IgM antibodies were lower than those observed in NZB mice. NZW mice were virtually negative for these antibodies. Progeny testing suggested that a combined effect of two unlinked dominant genes of the NZB strain determines the production of dsDNA-specific antibodies and that these genes only act to produce IgM antibodies. These traits are to a great degree modified by the NZW loci in B/W F1 hybrids, and a combined effect of two unlinked dominant genes leads to conversion of the class of the antibodies from IgM to IgG, which, in turn, increases the serum levels of dsDNA-specific antibodies. The F1 hybrid of C57BL/6 and NZW strains produced no dsDNA-specific antibodies, indicating that the relevant NZB predisposing genes are required for the NZW gene action. Linkage studies showed that one of such NZW genes is to some extent linked to the H-2 complex on chromosome 17, but not to Mup-1 (chromosome 4) or a coat color locus (chromosome 2). The appearance of IgG dsDNA-specific antibodies correlated well with the incidence of renal disease in B/W F1 X NZB backcross mice.     

The congenic mutant B6.C-H-2bm-1 (H-2bm-1) serological response to the T-cell receptor on EL4

Antisera reactive with the C57Bl lymphoma EL4 were induced by hyperimmunization of B6.C-H-2bm-1 (H-2bm-1) mice, a congenic mutant strain of C57Bl/6 (B6). Molecular weight determinations of EL4 surface structures detected with the congenic mutant antibodies were accomplished by electrophoretic analyses (one and two dimensions) on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels (SDS-PAGE). Analysis of immunoprecipitates in the first dimension under reducing conditions revealed protein bands corresponding to gp 70 and its 33-kDa cleavage fragment, and two-three bands (40-45 kDa) that overlapped with those precipitated from EL4 with AS 8177, an antiserum which detects framework determinants on the T-cell heterodimeric receptor. Further analysis by diagonal electrophoresis confirmed identity of the 40- to 45-kDa proteins precipitated from EL4 with either AS 8177 or H-2bm-1 anti-EL4 sera. Additional diagonal electrophoretic studies showed that the congenic mutant antibodies do not precipitate T-cell receptor molecules from C6VL, an in vitro line derived from the C6XL T-cell lymphoma of C57Bl/ka origin, which was previously shown by some of us to express the heterodimeric T-cell receptor. Together these results demonstrate detection of the heterodimeric T-cell receptor on EL4 with congenic mutant antibodies directed against nonconstant region determinant(s), and indicate a possible linkage between MHC haplotype and the immune response to intraspecies variable regions of the T-cell receptor.     

H-2 linked Ir gene control of antibody responses to porcine insulin. I. Development of insulin-specific antibodies in some but not all nonresponder strains injected with proinsulin

Cell-mediated and humoral immune responses to heterologous insulins in mice are controlled by H-2 linked, dominant, immune response (Ir) genes. For example, mice bearing the H-2d haplotype develop T cell proliferative responses and produce antibody after injection with porcine insulin, whereas mice bearing other H-2 haplotypes do not. Data presented in this communication demonstrate that homozygous and heterozygous H-2d mice produce insulin-binding antibodies when immunized with porcine insulin or proinsulin. Some (H-2b,k,s) insulin-nonresponder mice produce insulin-binding antibodies after injection of proinsulin, whereas other insulin-nonresponder strains (H-2q) do not. All strains, except homozygous H-2q mice, produce antibodies specific for proinsulin, suggesting that the response to porcine proinsulin is also controlled by H-2-linked Ir genes. More importantly, F1 hybrids between insulin-nonresponder C57BL/10 (H-2b) and DBA/1 (H-2q) produce no insulin-binding antibodies when injected with proinsulin, despite the fact that proinsulin-binding antibodies are produced by these mice.     

Genetic studies on a tumor growth-inhibitory factor in serum of normal mice and its relationship to NK activity

It has been shown that normal mouse serum contains a tumor growth-inhibitory factor (GIF). and that strain-dependent levels of GIF correlate with mouse NK activity. To further analyze the genetic control of GIF we have studied the growth-inhibitory activity of normal mouse serum from 8 different mouse strains and their F1 hybrids. A sensitive method using a chromogenic substrate for an endogenous lysosomal enzyme was used to measure the inhibitory activity of normal mouse serum on the mouse B16 melanoma. The highest level of GIF was found in old mice, lower activity in serum of young animals and no activity in suckling mice. To compare the genetic control of GIF and NK, spleen NK activity against B16 as well as YAC-1 targets was measured in parallel in the same animals. Confirming previous results we found the H-2k strains CBA and C3H to have high levels of GIF as well as NK activity, while the strain A/Sn and the A congenic strain A.SW had low levels of both activities. Experiments with H-2d and H-2b strains, however, showed that GIF and NK had a different genetic control; thus the DBA/2 and Balb/c strains had considerably higher GIF activity than the C57B1 and Leaden strains, while the reverse was true for NK activity. In F1 hybrid crosses between strains with high and low activity, high activity was inherited as a dominant trait for both GIF and NK. A backcross analysis in (A X CBA) X A backcross mice, segregating for NK and GIF showed that the two activities did not cosegregate. These studies therefore demonstrate that GIF and NK activity are under different genetic control, and do not support any direct or simple relationship between GIF and NK cells.     

Genetic regulation of the antibody response to H-2Db alloantigens in mice. IV. Antigens that activate helper T cells for IgG, coded for by the non-H-2 genome

When B10.A(5R) mice are immunized with congenic C57BL/10 cells only 2-ME-sensitive antibodies (IgM type) are found directed against H-2Db. To obtain 2-ME-resistant antibodies (IgG type) 5R mice must be immunized with noncongenic cells (e.g., A.BY); in this case non-H-2 cell surface antigens will activate helper T cells to induce anti-Db IgG antibody production by B cells. An attempt was made to define helper antigens that activate helper T cells. Neither N-2 antigens of seven H-2Db recombinant strains nor a limited set of non-H-2 cell surface antigens were able to serve as helper antigens. By using individual backcross mice as antigen, one helper antigen was found on the background of strain A under the conditions used, whereas other backgrounds may carry more than one antigen. The helper antigen is dominantly expressed in F1 mice and has to be presented on the same cell as H-2Db to induce the switch from IgM to IgG.     

Genetic control of “natural” killer lymphocytes in the mouse

Spleens from normal young mice contain lymphocytes that can kill certain in vitro grown Moloney lymphoma lines in a⁵¹Cr-release cytotoxicity test. A lymphoid cell without detectable T- or B-cell markers was previously shown to be responsible. Killing activity shows a marked dependence on the genotype of the donor mouse. When tested against a YAC line of strain A origin maintained in vitro spleens of A, A.CA, and A.SW mice had low activity, whereas CBA, C3H, C57L, and C57Bl spleens were highly active. In semisyngeneic F₁ crosses with strain A as one parent, reactivity resembled the opposite parental strain. Thus, (A×CBA)F₁, (A×C3H)F₁, (A×C57L)F₁, and (A×C57Bl)F₁ were reactive, whereas A×A.CA showed no significant activity. Analysis of the reactivity in (A×C57Bl)F₁×A backcross mice suggests that multiple genes are involved. Preliminary linkage analysis suggests at least oneH-2 linked factor. Another gene appears to be linked to theB (black) locus.     

H-2K double transfectants of tumor cells as antimetastatic cellular vaccines in heterozygous recipients. Implications for the T cell repertoire.

In this study we demonstrate that antitumor CTL repertoire restricted to a single MHC class I allele is higher in homozygous than in heterozygous mice. Consequently, transfection of two parental H-2K genes, but not of a single H-2K gene into a highly metastatic H-2K-negative tumor clone, resulted in abrogation of metastatic properties in F1 recipients. Clones of the 3LL carcinoma, which are low H-2Kb expressors, are nonimmunogenic and highly metastatic. Transfection of H-2K genes converted cells of such clones to nonmetastatic in syngeneic homozygous mice. However, in semi-syngeneic heterozygous mice, single H-2K transfectants retained their metastatic phenotype. In such heterozygous mice, i.e., in (H-2d x H-2b)F1, or in (H-2k x H-2b)F1, transfection of the two parental H-2K genes was required for complete abolishment of the metastatic phenotypes. In fact, in these heterozygous animals, even the local growth (i.e., tumorigenicity) of the double H-2K transfectants was significantly suppressed. These observations are attributed to the difference between homozygous and heterozygous mice with regard to the T cell repertoire restricted to a single H-2K-tumor-associated antigen complex. The reduced tumorigenicity and the complete abrogation of the metastatic phenotype was a function of a high immunogenic competence of the double transfectants in F1 heterozygous mice, which was significantly higher than that of single transfectants, as measured by the induction of CTL and of their precursors. Immunization of F1 mice by inactivated double transfectants conferred protection against metastasis formation by a subsequent graft of the parental D122 cells. Single transfectants were only marginally effective in conferring such protection. Applying an immunotherapy protocol, we observed that a series of vaccinations with double transfectants of animals already carrying a parental tumor reduced significantly the generation of metastasis by the otherwise highly metastatic D122 cells.     

Augmentation of syngeneic tumor-specific immunity by semiallogeneic cell hybrids

Hybrid cell lines were established from fusions between lipopolysaccharide- (LPS) stimulated C57BL/6J spleen cells and MPC-11 tumor cells (45.6TG1.7, abbreviated M45), and were tested for their ability to immunize semiallogeneic mice against a parental tumor challenge. These hybrids were tumorigenic in syngeneic (BALB/c X C57BL/6J) F1 (CB6F1) mice but did not grow in semiallogeneic (BALB/c X A/J) F1 (CAF1) mice. All hybrids express both parental major histocompatibility antigens (H-2b and H-2d) as detected by indirect immunofluorescence and by their ability to function as either stimulators or targets for allogeneic cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL). M45 tumor-associated antigens (TAA) were expressed on the hybrid surface as shown by their ability to act as either stimulators or targets for syngeneic CTL specific for M45 TAA. Immunization of semiallogeneic CAF1 mice with the hybrids i.p. followed by a challenge with M45 tumor cells resulted in extended survival when compared to untreated mice or animals immunized i.p. with M45 tumor cells. This immunity was specific and was not due to an allogeneic effect; immunization with an unrelated H-2bd tumor, 70Z/3, or H-2bd B6D2F1 spleen cells or with semiallogeneic spleen cells plus M45 did not protect mice from M45 challenge. Interestingly, prophylactic priming with semiallogeneic hybrid tumor cells or parental myeloma cells led to M45-specific CTL and "help" for an in vitro CTL response; however, the degree of CTL priming by hybrid tumors was not augmented when compared to the level of CTL achieved with parental tumor alone. Hence, stimulation of CTL activity per se by hybrid tumor cells cannot explain the protective effect of hybrid tumor immunization. These studies nevertheless confirm that semiallogeneic hybrids, which we show express TAA and alloantigens, can be used to immunize mice against a lethal syngeneic myeloma tumor challenge.     

Teratocarcinoma transplantation rejection loci: AnH-2-linked tumor rejection locus

Embryoid bodies (ascites tumor) from a 129/Sv transplantable teratocarcinoma produce tumors (100%) in syngenic 129/Sv mice but fail to form tumors (3–6%) in BALB/c mice, C3H/He mice and C57BL/6 mice, in spite of the fact that the malignant stem cells of this tumor do not express detectable H-2 antigens. The available evidence indicates that this allogeneic tumor restriction has an immunological basis; 100% of the F₁ hybrid mice between 129/Sv and the three other inbred mouse strains accept the 129/Sv teratocarcinoma. The backcross and F₂ mice segregate the BALB/c, C3H/He and C57BL/6 tumor transplantation rejection loci in a manner that indicates that each of these inbred strains of mice contain one to two major transplantation rejection loci. A linkage analysis in the BALB/c and C3H/He backcross and F₂ generations indicates that these mice have a teratocarcinoma transplantation rejection locus on chromosome 17, about eight to nine recombination units from theH- 2 complex. An F₁ complementation analysis between allogeneic mice that each reject teratocarcinomas tumors (BALB/c × C57BL/6 and C3H/He × C57BL/6), indicates that the C57BL/6 mice have the 129/Sv tumor-accepting (sensitive) allele at theH-2-linked locus but reject teratocarcinomas because of antigenic differences at a second locus.While these major teratocarcinoma transplantation rejection loci determine the acceptance or rejection of a tumor by a mouse injected with high doses of tumor tissue (750 g of tumor protein), evidence is presented for a number of minor genetic factors that can (1) affect the efficiency of tumor rejection and (2) cause complete tumor rejection at lower tumor doses (7.5–75 g of tumor protein).     

A new erythrocytic antigen of C57BL/10 (B10) mice

A new antigen, detectable on murine erythrocytes by hemagglutination assay with a (BALB/cCrl X SWR/J)F1 anti-B10.D2n/Sn alloantiserum, is described. Among the inbred and congenic mouse strains tested for reactivity with the antiserum, only the immunizing strain, B10.D2, and its congenic resistant partner, C57BL/10 (B10), reacted. Three other C57 strains, C57BL/6J, C57BL/6By, and C57L, were negative for the antigen. F1 hybrids between B10 and BALB/c, an antigen-negative strain, were positive for the antigen indicating that its expression is dominant. Typing of 39 (BALB/c X (BALB/c X B10)F1) and 62 [BALB/c X B10)F1 X BALB/c) backcross mice revealed that a single gene controls expression of the antigen. The gene is autosomal and not linked to H-2, Ly-4, or the c (albino) or b coat color genes.     

Enhancing the immunogenicity of exogenous hepatitis B surface antigen-based vaccines for MHC-I-restricted T cells

Vaccination with either exogenous hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) lipoprotein particles without adjuvants, or plasmid DNA encoding secreted small HBsAg stimulate long-lasting, potent antibody responses in H-2d (BALB/c) and C57Bl/6 (H-2b) mice. Vaccination with exogenous HBsAg primes MHC-I restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses to HBsAg in H-2d but not H-2b mice, while DNA vaccination primes HBsAg-specific CTL responses in both mouse strains. We defined vaccination strategies that could elicit CTL responses to exogenous HBsAg in 'low responder' C57Bl/6 mice. We found that the bacterial plasmid DNA itself, synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides containing immunostimulating sequences, or recombinant Th1 cytokines (IL12, IFNgamma) efficiently support priming of CTL responses to exogenous HBsAg in 'low responder' H-2b mice, but have only minor effects on CTL priming in 'high responder' H-2d mice in the high dose range tested. These molecularly well defined adjuvants can thus efficiently support priming of anti-viral T cell responses under 'low responder' conditions.     

Murine responses to (Tyr-Glu-Ala-Gly)n: II. H-2 and non-H-2 gene effects

Mice of the H-2^b haplotype responded to the sequential polymer poly(Tyr-Glu-Ala-Gly) in the in vitro T-cell proliferative assay, irrespective of whether they were homozygous or heterozygous at the H-2^b locus. The antibody responses of the H-2^b congenic mice to this polymer were variable, with A.BY and BALB.B showing responses better than those of C57BL/6 and C57BL/10 strains. The antibody responses of the F₁ progeny of (responder × nonresponder) strains of mice to this polymer are generally lower than the responder parents. F₁ mice with C57BL/10 background were the poorest responders. Studies with F₂ mice and backcross progenies of selective breeding of high and low antibody responder (C57BL/6 × BALB/c) F₁ to high responder C57BL/6 mice indicated that both non-H-2 genes and H-2 gene dosage effects influenced the magnitude of the humoral antibody responses. Animals having low responder non-H-2 background and only half the dosage of the responder immune response genes has greatly diminished antibody responses.     

Modulation of F1 cytotoxic potentials by GvHR: role and mode of action of non-MHC genes that determine the hybrid resistance to GvHR-associated suppression of F1 cytotoxic potential

The resistance of unirradiated F1 mice against graft-vs-host reaction (GvHR) induced by lymphocytes from certain parental strains is apparently a violation of the basic law in classical transplantation immunity. To explore genetic mechanisms of this peculiar phenomenon, GvHR-associated immunosuppression was examined on various kinds of F1 mice undergoing GvHR induced by parental lymphocytes. In F1 mice raised by crossing DBA/2 mice with various H-2-congeneic B10-series strains, parental lymphocytes having non-H-2 genetic background of DBA (DBA/2 and DBA/1) invariably could not induce GvHR-associated immunosuppression, irrespective of the H-2 haplotype incompatibility involved, whereas lymphocytes of the partner parental strain induced the immunosuppression. The number of the relevant loci in the DBA non-H-2 was assessed to be three recessive loci by examination of the capability to induce the GvHR-associated immunosuppression on lymphocytes from individual (B 10.D2 X DBA/2)F1 X DBA/2 backcross mice. On the other hand, in F1 mice raised by crossing C3H/He or AKR/J mice with various H-2-congeneic B10-series strains, parental lymphocytes of H-2k haplotype, irrespective of their non-H-2 haplotype, invariably could not induce the GvHR-associated immunosuppression. Furthermore, it was revealed that non-H-2 genes of parental C3H or AKR incorporated in the F1 mice determine the resistance of the F1 mice against the H-2k-induced GvHR. The results of examination of the resistance on individual (B10 X [B10.BR X C3H/He]F1) and (B10 X [B10.BR X AKR/J]F1) mice suggested that three non-H-2 loci of C3H/He or two non-2 loci of AKR/J incorporated in F1 hybrids could determine the resistance of the respective F1 mice.     

The genetic control of natural killer cell activity and its association with in vivo resistance against a moloney lymphoma isograft

Spleens of normal young mice of certain strains contain lymphocytes that can kill strain A-derived YAC-1 lymphoma cells in a⁵¹Cr release cytotoxic assay in vitro. We have previously classified mouse genotypes as high or low reactors, according to their responses in this test. In vivo resistance to small numbers of YAC ascites lymphoma cells is correlated with in vitro cytolytic activity. In vitro and in vivo tests were carried out on the same individual (A x C57BL)F₁ x A backcross mice. Natural in vitro killer cell activity appeared to be under polygenic control, including a strong H-2-linked factor. No linkage was found with five different isozyme loci, with theIg-l locus or with C5 serum activity. Also in vivo resistance showed strong linkage with theH-2 complex. In (A x CBA)F₁ x A backcross mice, a weak linkage was found with the coat color locusC. There was a correlation between in vitro killer activity and in vivo resistance in the same backcross mice. In vivo resistance was particularly strong in mice that combined theH-2 ^b -linked resistance factor with a high cytolytic activity in vitro.     

Genetic control of the immune response to the H-2Dk private specificity, H-2.32. II. Genetic linkage analysis of a backcross generation.

B10.AKM mice (H-2M) when immunized with H-2k cells showed very low cytotoxic antibody responses to the H-2Dk private specificity H-2.32, whereas AKR.M and (AKR.M X B10.AKM)F1 mice that possess the same H-2m haplotype mounted reasonable anti-H-2.32 antibody responses. The genetic nature of the non-H-2 linked gene(s) controlling the anti-H-2.32 response was analyzed on the backcross progeny raised between (AKR.M X B10.AKM)F1 and B10.AKM mice. The anti-H-2.32 antibody response was found to be predominantly controlled by a single locus. This locus segregated independently of the Ig heavy chain locus, the Ly2 locus, and the Mls locus. Despite the observed difference in antibody production, no significant differences between AKR.M and B10.AKM mice were detected in induction of H-2Dk-specific killer T cells. Thus, the defect in the response of B10.AKM mice to H-2.32 can be detected at the level of B cell function and is controlled by a single non-H-2-linked genetic locus, but is not attributable to genes linked to the major immunoglobulin structural genes nor to the Mls locus.