Adaptive differentiation of H-2- and Igh-restricted B lymphocyte in tetraparental bone marrow chimera

Immunization of BALB/c mice with MOPC-104E myeloma protein induced idiotype-specific enhancing B cells that acted on anti-dextran antibody producing B cells. The enhancing cells have the surface phenotype of B cells. With the use of several H-2 or Igh congenic mice, it was found that the cooperation among B cells was controlled by both the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and Igh. The capability to generate enhancing B cell activity was analyzed by using tetraparental bone marrow chimeras. (C57BL/6 X BALB/c)F1 mice, for example, were lethally irradiated and were reconstituted with C57BL/6 and BALB/c bone marrow cells. Nine to 12 wk after the reconstitution, the chimeras were immunized with the myeloma protein and were tested for their enhancing B cell activity. After the removal of C57BL/6 origin cells by treatment with anti-H-2b + complement, residual cells exhibited enhancing B cell activity on BALB.B, as well as BALB/c antidextran antibody response. This indicates that the generation of H-2-restricted, idiotype-specific enhancing B cell activity differentiated adaptively so as to recognize foreign MHC as self under chimeric conditions. On the other hand, splenic B cells treated with anti-H-2d + complement did not enhance the responses of BALB/c or BALB.B. Even in a chimeric environment, the B cells of C57BL/6 origin could not obtain the ability to generate enhancing B cell activity upon immunization of the idiotype. The results described here, taken in conjunction with our previous studies, suggest that the Ig heavy chain gene(s) predominantly control the Igh restriction properties of enhancing B cells, and the capability of MHC recognition by B cells is selected under chimeric conditions.     

Keratinocytes synthesize Ia antigen in acute cutaneous graft-vs-host disease

Keratinocytes express la antigen (Ia) during cutaneous graft-vs-host disease (GVHD); it is, however, unclear whether this Ia is adsorbed from alloactivated donor lymphocytes or from Ia-bearing host Langerhans cells (LC), or whether it is actively synthesized by host keratinocytes. We therefore sought to determine the origin of keratinocyte Ia in a murine model of GVHD. Lethally irradiated C3H/He (H-2k) mice developed characteristic histopathologic changes of acute cutaneous GVHD 7 days after injection of BALB/c (H-2d) bone marrow and spleen cells, and expressed keratinocyte Ia of host (Iak) but not donor (Iad) origin in immunofluorescence studies. To determine whether the Ia was synthesized by keratinocytes or adsorbed from host LC, we investigated GVHD that was induced in chimeric mice. Parental strain A mice were made chimeric by lethal irradiation and reconstitution with (A X B)F1 bone marrow cells as follows: (BALB/c X C3H/He)F1 (H-2d,k) leads to C3H/He (H-2k), B6C3F1 (H-2b,k) leads to C57BL/6 (H-2b), and B6C3F1 (H-2b,k) leads to C3H/He (H-2k). After 3 mo, the LC in the skin of these chimeric mice were mainly of F1 haplotype. The chimeric mice were again lethally irradiated and injected with marrow and spleen cells from a third strain of mouse (C57BL/6, H-2b or BALB/c, H-2d) histoincompatible with both F1 parental strains. In the ensuing GVHD, the chimeric recipients only expressed keratinocyte Ia syngeneic to the original haplotype of the animal (strain A), despite the fact that the majority of their LC were derived from F1 marrow and expressed Ia of both F1 parental strain haplotypes (strains A and B). Together, these findings indicate that keratinocyte Ia in GVHD is synthesized by keratinocytes and is not derived from donor lymphocytes or adsorbed from host LC.     

Genetic control of the immune response to collagen. III. Coordinate restriction of cellular cooperation and antigen responsiveness by thymus-directed maturation

The H-2 restriction of T helper cells from thymus-reconstituted nude mice was examined. Hybrid athymic mice were bred from BALB/c.nu and C57BL/6.nu parental strains and reconstituted with fetal thymus tissue from either parental strain. T helper cells from these mice, immunized to SRBC, were restricted to cooperation with B cells of the thymic H-2 haplotype. These T helper cells were shown to have originated from the F1 host by functional sensitivity to antisera and complement. The H-2 restriction of thymus-reconstituted F1 nude mice was further investigated by examining expression of the Ir-collagen phenotype. Results showed that the level of antibody produced in response to type I calf collagen in thymus chimeras correlates with the H-2 haplotype (high responder or low responder) of the reconstituting thymus. These experiments indicate that the thymus environment of T cell maturation influences both the H-2 restriction and Ir-phenotype of a responding immune system.     

Induction of allograft tolerance after total lymphoid irradiation (TLI): development of suppressor cells of the mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR).

We searched for the presence of suppressor cells of the MLR in C57BL/Ka leads to BALB/c chimeras. The chimeras were made with total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) and marrow transplantation. Spleen cells from the old chimeras inhibited the MLR of BALB/c responder cells against C57BL/Ka stimulator cells. Inhibition was specific for the stimulator cells, since no effect on the MLR was observed with C3H or BALB.C3H stimulator cells. Maximal inhibition was achieved when the responder cells in the MLR shared the H-2 haplotype of the chimeric recipient. Spleen cells obtained from chimeras young 30 to 40 days after BM transplantation inhibited the MLR nonspecifically, since similar marked inhibition was observed regardless of the H-2 haplotype of the responder or stimulator cells. The finding of antigen-specific and nonspecific suppressor cells is similar to that observed in mice rendered tolerant to bovine serum albumin after treatment with TLI.     

Chimeric heterosis in mandibular size in mice

Morphometrical observations were carried out on the mandibles of chimeras made from the embryos of C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice to compare with the two strains and their reciprocal F1 crosses. The results of the principal component analysis indicate that the first principal component (PC1) and the second principal component (PC2) extracted might be acceptable as size and shape factors, respectively. Variations of both PC1 and PC2 were generally larger in the chimeras than in the two component strains and their F1 crosses. The mean PC1 value of the chimeras was larger than that of the two component inbred strains, and it was similar to that of F1 crosses, or slightly larger. The overall size of the mandible represented by PC1 tended to be larger in the chimeras consisting of two component cells that were approximately equivalent than in those that shifted to either cell population. The above trend was observed in both sexes. These results indicate that chimeric heterosis due to the interaction between genetically different cells (C57BL/6 and BALB/c) has some relation to mandible size. The mean PC2 value, which was accepted as shape factor, was intermediate between the two inbred strains. The mandible size (PC1) and shape (PC2) were bilaterally symmetrical, except for the shape in the female chimeras and in (C57BL/6 x BALB/c)F1.     

NK cell tolerance in mixed allogeneic chimeras

Alterations in inhibitory receptor expression on NK cells have been detected in mixed allogeneic chimeras and in mosaic MHC class I-expressing transgenic mice. However, it is not known whether or not NK cells are tolerant to host and donor Ags in mixed chimeras. In vitro studies have shown a lack of mutual tolerance of separated donor and host NK cells obtained from mixed chimeras. Using BALB/c-->B6 fully MHC-mismatched mixed chimeras, we have now investigated this question in vivo. Neither donor nor host NK cells in mixed chimeras showed evidence for activation, as indicated by expression of B220 and Thy-1.2 on NK cells in chimeric mice at levels similar to those in nonchimeric control mice. Lethally irradiated, established mixed BALB/c--> B6 chimeras rejected a low dose of beta(2)-microglobulin-deficient bone marrow cells (BMC) efficiently but did not reject BALB/c or B6 BMCs. In contrast, similarly conditioned B6 mice rejected both BALB/c and beta(2)-microglobulin-deficient BMCs. Thus, NK cells were specifically tolerant to the donor and the host in mixed allogeneic chimeras. The similar growth of RMA lymphoma cells in both chimeric and control B6 mice further supports the conclusion that donor BALB/c NK cells are tolerant to B6 Ags in chimeras. Administration of a high dose of exogenous IL-2 could not break NK cell tolerance in chimeric mice, suggesting that NK cell tolerance in chimeras is not due to a lack of activating cytokine. No reduction in the level of expression of the activating receptor Ly-49D, recognizing a donor MHC molecule, was detected among recipient NK cells in mixed chimeras. Thus, the present studies demonstrate that NK cells in mixed chimeras are stably tolerant to both donor and host Ags, by mechanisms that are as yet unexplained.     

The mutant gene "wal" is active in cells of mouse hair follicles

In order to determine the place of action of the mutant gene waved alopecia (wal), we have obtained chimeric wal/wal c/c Gpi-1aa<-->+/+ C/C Gpi-1bb animals by aggregation of eight-cellular embryos of BALB/c-wal/wal mice and CBA (+/+) mice. The presence or absence of the chimeric structure was determined from the mosaic nature of fur color and hair structure, as well as on the basis of the presence of electrophoretically distinct variants of glucosephosphate isomerase in blood. Chimeras had alternating transverse patches of different lengths and widths consisting of curly (genotype wal/wal) or straight (genotype +/+) hairs. The percentage of cells with wal/wal mutant genotype in chimeras established on the basis of glucosephosphate isomerase isozymes varied from 10 to 80%. A higher percentage of the parental wal/wal component in chimeras correlated with the number of patches having wavy hairs. Analysis of the fur pattern represented by the alternation of transverse patches of wavy or straight hairs in chimeric wal/wal (+/+ mice has shown that mutant gene wal acts in ectodermal cells of hair follicles.     

H-2-restricted GVH reaction caused by T cells from normal donors of certain strains

A comparison has been made of lethal graft-versus-host (GVH) reactions caused by T cells from radiation chimeras and from normal mice. In the recipient strains tested, T cells from both chimeric and normal A, A.SW, and CBA mice showed H-2-restricted killing, while T cells from chimeric and normal C57BL/6 failed to show any evidence for H-2-restricted GVH reactions. With other strains tested as donors, T cells from chimeras showed H-2-restricted GVH reactions, while the corresponding normal cells showed some similarities to the chimeras but not complete H-2-restriction.[/p]     

Tumor dormancy. I. Regression of BCL1 tumor and induction of a dormant tumor state in mice chimeric at the major histocompatibility complex

The growth of the BCL1 tumor in murine H-2 chimeras was studied. Lethally x-irradiated BALB/c mice were reconstituted with C57BL/6 bone marrow that had been depleted of T cells. When chimerism was established 90 to 120 days later, large doses of BCL1 cells were injected. The tumor grew progressively, reaching a peak level of as many as 10(9) tumor cells per animal by 40 days after inoculation. After that time, the tumor regressed in all the chimeric animals, and by 100 days after inoculation, virtually all the animals appeared disease free as judged by an absence of BCL1-idiotype-positive cells in the spleen and peripheral blood, a normal spleen size, and absence of an elevated white blood cell count. Such animals were followed for as long as 8 mo after tumor inoculation and remained disease free. However, transfer of graded numbers of splenocytes from these animals into normal BALB/c recipients resulted in development of tumor in recipients receiving 100 or more spleen cells. These results indicate a large tumor burden in the spleen of each donor, namely, 10(6) to 10(7) BCL1 cells. The present model should facilitate characterization of the mechanisms underlying tumor dormancy.     

Recipient micro-environment does not dictate the Igh-V restriction specificity of T cell suppressor inducer factor (TsiF) from allogeneic bone marrow chimera in mice

We have ascertained previously from a study of fully allogeneic irradiation chimeras in mice that the H-2 restriction of the suppressor factor (Ly-2 T suppressor factor) is determined by the post-thymic environment protected by the donor cells, rather than by the thymic environment of the recipient. In the present study, we analyzed differentiation influences that determine the Igh restriction specificities of the suppressor inducer T cell factor(s) (TsiF) that are produced by Ly-1+ splenic T cells in fully allogeneic bone marrow chimeras in mice. AKR mice that had been lethally irradiated and reconstituted with B10 marrow cells, [B10----AKR] chimeras, produced Ly-1 TsiF after hyper-immunization with sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) which suppressed antigen--specifically the primary antibody responses to SRBC that were generated in cells of the same Igh-Vb haplotype of donor strain and not those generated in cells of the recipient Igh-Va type. Similar results were obtained when Ly-1 TsiF from [B6----BALB/c] and [BALB/c----B6] chimeras were analyzed. Furthermore, the Ly-1 TsiF from [BALB/c----B6] chimeras suppressed the primary antibody responses of both BALB/c [H-2d, Igh-Va, Igh-Ca] and BAB-14 (H-2d, Igh-Va, Igh-Cb), but not those of CAL-20 (H-2d, Igh-Vd, Igh-Cd). These results demonstrate clearly that the Ly-1 TsiF from allogeneic bone marrow chimeras are donor Igh-V-restricted and are not influenced by the recipient micro-environment, presumably that provided by the thymuses of the recipient mice.     

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.     

Hemopoietic origin of certain decidual cell precursors in murine pregnancy

The possible hemopoietic origin of certain precursors of uterine decidual cells appearing during normal murine pregnancy was investigated in semiallogeneic hemopoietic chimeras with retained or regained fertility. Chimeras were produced by three different methods in two donor-host combinations: F1 [BALB/c female x C3H/HeJ male] cells introduced into the parental strain BALB/c female hosts or F1 [CBA/J female x C57BL/6 male] cells introduced into CBA/J female hosts. Prenatal chimeras (PN) were made by reconstituting mouse fetuses (day 13-17) with 10(6)-10(7) adult bone marrow or fetal liver cells through the yolk sac and they were allowed to be delivered naturally. Neonatal chimeras (NN) were made by injecting 1-2 x 10(7) adult bone marrow cells into the anterior facial vein of neonatal mice (less than 24 hr old). In both cases, experimental animals were raised to maturity. Ovary-transplanted chimeras (OT) were made by injecting 10(7) bone marrow cells into lethally irradiated (9.5 Gy) young adult female mice, followed 6 weeks later with bilateral orthotopic transplants of syngeneic ovary grafts to restore fertility. All female chimeras produced by the three different methods were mated with syngeneic male partners to produce normal pregnancy. The extent of chimerism at the cellular level was determined in all cases by a radioautographic identification of the H-2 phenotype of splenic lymphocytes and decidual cells and macrophages in the collagenase-dispersed decidua at day 11-16 of normal pregnancy, following a sandwich labelling with monospecific anti-H-2 antibodies and 125I-protein A. Morphological discrimination of typical decidual cells from macrophages in the collagenase-dispersed decidua was carried out on the basis of several distinctive markers: presence of surface Dec-1 and Thy-1 and absence of surface F4/80 or latex phagocytosis for decidual cells, in contrast to macrophages which were phagocytic and expressed F4/80 but not Dec-1 or Thy-1. While the degree of hemopoietic chimerism (judged by the incidence of donor-derived lymphocytes in the spleen) varied from animal to animal, in all three groups (PN, NN, and OT) comprising a total of 26 chimeras, the percentage of typical decidual cells expressing donor H-2 phenotype showed an excellent correlation with that for small lymphocytes in the spleen. These results reveal that at least a subpopulation of typical decidual cells of the pregnant uterus has a hemopoietic genealogy. A possible familial relationship of these cells to granulated metrial gland cells remains unclear.     

Chimeric drift in allophenic mice: Analysis of changes in red blood cell and white blood cell populations in C57BL/6 ↔ A mice

Fifteen allophenic mice of the type C57BL/6 ? A were quantitatively analyzed for changes in their peripheral white blood cell composition and hemoglobin composition with age. It was found that $\text{7}\text{15}$ or 47% of the mice showed significant changes, termed “chimeric drift,” in one or the other of these parameters. The seven mice showing chimeric drift were classified as unstable chimeras, as opposed to the eight apparently stable chimeras. Chimeric drift was observed in the direction of either parental type, or back and forth, and was found to be independent of the coat color, age, or sex of the mouse. There was an excellent correlation of peripheral white blood cell and hemoglobin compositions of the stable chimeras. However, the unstable chimeras often showed a marked discordance of these two markers.     

Suppression of the antibody response to type III pneumococcal polysaccharide with antigen coupled to syngeneic lymphoid cells

Nine allophenic mice of the type C57BL/10Sn … A were analyzed quantitatively, at weekly intervals over a period of 6 weeks, for the relative parental contributions to their red blood cell and white blood cell populations. It was found that four of the mice showed a significant change (termed “chimeric drift”) in the parental composition of their peripheral white blood cells, as determined by cytotoxicity testing. Six of the mice analyzed showed chimeric drift in their red blood cell population, as determined by hemoglobin analysis on isoelectric focusing gels. The isoelectric points of the hemoglobins of six inbred strains of mice were determined as an outgrowth of this study. Chimeric drift was observed in the direction of either parental cell type, and was found to be independent of the coat color, age, or sex of the mice.     

Altered donor and recipient Ly49+ NK cell subsets in allogeneic H-2d --> H-2b and H-2b --> H-2d bone marrow chimeras

NK cells reject non-self hematopoietic bone marrow (BM) grafts via Ly49 receptor-mediated MHC class I-specific recognition and calibration of receptor expression levels. In this paper we investigated how Ly49+ subset frequencies were regulated dependent on MHC class I expression. The development of donor and host Ly49A+ (recognizes H-2Dd and H-2Dk ligands) and Ly49C/I+ (Ly49CBALB/c recognizes H-2Kb, H-2Kd, and H-2Dd, and Ly49CB6 recognizes only H-2Kb) NK cell frequencies were monitored for 120 days in murine-mixed allogeneic BM chimeras. C57BL/6 (H-2b) BM was transplanted into BALB/c (H-2d) mice and vice versa. Peripheral NK cell populations were examined every 5 days. Chimerism was found to be stable with 80-90% donor NK cells. In contrast to syngeneic controls reexpressing pretransplant patterns, donor and host NK cells revealed new and mainly reduced subset frequencies 55 days after allogeneic transplantation. Recipient NK cells acquired these later than donor NK cells. In H-2d --> H-2b chimeras Ly49A+, Ly49C/I+, and Ly49A+/Ly49C/I+ proportions were mainly diminished upon interaction with cognate ligands. Also in H-2b --> H-2d chimeras, Ly49A+ and Ly49A+/Ly49C/I+ subsets were reduced, but there was a transient normalization of Ly49C/I+ proportions in the noncognate host. After 120 days all subsets were reduced. Therefore, down-regulation of developing Ly49A+ and Ly49C/I+ chimeric NK cell frequencies by cognate ligands within 7-8 wk after BM transplantation may be important for successful engraftment.     

Essential requirement of I-A region-identical host bone marrow or bone marrow-derived cells for tumor neutralization by primed L3T4+ T cells

The antitumor activity of Meth A-hyperimmunized BALB/c mouse spleen cells (Meth A-Im-SPL) was assayed by the Winn test in H-2 incompatible bone marrow chimeras in closed colony CD-1 (nu/nu), inbred DDD/1(nu/nu) (H-2s), or inbred BALB/c(nu/nu) (H-2d) mice as recipients. We found that Meth A-Im-SPL suppressed Meth A growth in the chimera nude mice which were reconstituted with bone marrow cells of the H-2d haplotype (i.e., BALB/c, DBA/2 and B10.D2), but not in the chimeras which were reconstituted with bone marrow cells of the H-2a, H-2b, or H-2k haplotype (i.e., B10.A, B10, and B10.BR). These results suggested that H-2 restriction occurred between Meth A-Im-SPL and bone marrow or bone marrow-derived cells in tumor neutralization. Furthermore, Meth A-Im-SPL did not suppress Meth 1 tumors (antigenically distinct from Meth A tumors) in the presence or absence of mitomycin C-treated Meth A in a Winn assay. These results suggested that there is tumor specificity in the "effector phase" as well as in the "induction phase". The phenotype of the effectors in the Meth A-Im-SPL was Thy-1.2+ and L3T4+, because Meth A-Im-SPL lost their antitumor activity with pretreatment with anti-Thy-1.2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and complement or anti-L3T4 mAb and complement, but not with anti-Lyt-2.2 mAb and complement or complement alone. Positively purified L3T4+ T cells from Meth A-Im-SPL (Meth A-Im-L3T4), obtained by the panning method, suppressed the tumor growth in the chimera nude mice which were reconstituted with bone marrow cells of B10.KEA2 mice (that were I-A region-identical with Meth A-Im-L3T4 cells but not others in H-2) as well as B10.D2 cells (that were fully identical with Meth A-Im-L3T4 cells in H-2). We conclude that Meth A-Im-SPL (L3T4+) neutralized the tumors in collaboration with I-A region-identical host bone marrow or bone marrow-derived cells, and the neutralization was not accompanied by the "bystander effect."     

Type II collagen-induced murine arthritis: induction of arthritis depends on antigen-presenting cell function as well as susceptibility of host to an anticollagen immune response.

Two sets of ((resistant x susceptible) F1----parent) and (parent----F1) chimeric mice were prepared. In the chimeric combinations involving BALB/c and DBA/1 mice, all (F1----F1) chimeras developed arthritis as well as potent anticollagen responses after immunization with collagen, whereas all (F1----BALB/c) and (BALB/c----F1) chimeras induced neither arthritis nor immune responses. This type of F1 T cells could be activated with APC from DBA/1 but not from BALB/c mice. Thus, the failure of the [F1 in equilibrium with BALB/c] chimeras to mount anticollagen responses was due to a defect at the APC level. Another arthritis-resistant strain, C57BL/6, exhibited adequate APC function, but reduced T cell responsiveness, representing an intermediate responder. In the chimeric combinations involving C57BL/6 and DBA/1 mice, (F1----F1) and (C57BL/6----C57BL/6) chimeras developed very high and very low incidence of arthritis, respectively. (C57BL/6----F1) chimeras developed an appreciable incidence of arthritis under conditions in which this group of chimeras generated intermediate levels of anticollagen responses. In contrast, (F1----C57BL/6) chimeras developed low incidence of disease despite induction of strong responses. Moreover, cells from collagen-immunized (F1----C57BL/6) chimeras, when transferred into T cell-depleted B cell mice of F1 or C57BL/6 strain, produced comparable immune responses in both groups but induced much more severe arthritis in F1 than in C57BL/6 recipients. These results indicate that: i) two types of arthritis-resistant strains can be identified, each of which has anticollagen APC defect as a low responder and reduced T cell responsiveness as an intermediate responder and ii) a discrepancy between the degree of anticollagen responses and clinical arthritis is attributed to the differential susceptibility to anticollagen immune responses.     

Cells expressing an H chain Ig gene carrying a viral T cell epitope are lysed by specific cytolytic T cells.

The epitope corresponding to amino acid residues 147-161 of the nucleoprotein (NP) of influenza A virus is recognized by CTL in association with H-2Kd class I Ag. Herein, we engineered an Ig molecule carrying this CTL epitope by replacing the diversity gene segment of the H chain V region of an anti-arsonate antibody with an oligonucleotide that encodes the CTL epitope. The chimeric H chain gene was expressed either alone or together with the parental L chain in the nonsecreting BALB/c myeloma B cell line, SP2/0. The Ig produced by cells transfected with both the chimeric H chain and parental L chains genes expressed the NP epitope but lost the original arsonate binding activity. In addition, SP2/0 cells expressing the chimeric H chain either alone or together with the parental L chain were lysed by class I restricted NP-epitope specific CTL. By contrast, SP2/0 cells pulsed with soluble chimeric Ig molecules were not lysed by the specific CTL. These observations indicate that: 1) this particular CTL epitope can be expressed on Ig molecules without altering the H and L chain pairing; 2) this CTL epitope can be generated from this chimeric Ig in which it is surrounded by flanking regions distinct from those of the viral NP; and 3) the generation of this CTL epitope from the Ig molecule requires the endogenous pathway as do viral proteins.     

Three methods for producing fertile hemopoietic chimeras in mice

Three methods for producing semiallogeneic (F1----parental) hemopoietic chimeras with retained or regained fertility are detailed here. Prenatal (PN) chimeras were produced by injecting F1 ([BALB/c female x C3H/HeJ male] or [CBA/J female x C57BL/6 male]) fetal liver (days 13-18) or adult bone marrow cells (10(6)-10(7) cells/20 microliters/embryo) into the yolk-sac cavities of days 13-17 gestation BALB/c or CBA/J embryos, respectively, and allowing them to be born naturally. Neonatal (NN) chimeras were made by introducing F1 bone marrow cells (1-2 x 10(7) cells/0.25 ml) into newborn (less than 24 hr old) female mice through the anterior facial vein. Female mice were raised to maturity in both cases. Ovary-transplanted (OT) chimeras were made by first irradiating (9.5 Gy) and repopulating young female adult mice with 10(7) F1 bone marrow cells, followed by bilateral orthotopic transplantation of syngeneic ovarian tissue six weeks later. Females reconstituted with the above three methods were mated with normal syngeneic males and sacrificed at 11-16 days of pregnancy to evaluate hemopoietic chimerism. This was determined in all cases by a radioautographic evaluation of the extent of donor H-2 phenotype marker expression on splenic small lymphocytes, after an indirect labelling of single-cell suspensions with monospecific antibody and [125I]protein-A. Results indicate that hemopoietic chimerism was best in the PN group (0.3-78.1%, mean = 27.1); intermediate in the OT group (5.8-38.2%, mean = 18.1); and low in the NN group (0-14%, with one exception, which was 83.6%). Observed fertility was best for BALB/c host PN chimeras.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Comparison of antigen specificity, class II major histocompatibility complex restriction, and in vivo behavior of myelin basic protein-specific T cell lines and clones derived from (BALB/c x SJL/J) mice

Immunization with myelin basic protein (BP) causes experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in certain strains of mice. SJL/J (H-2s) is the prototype sensitive strain. Although BALB/c (H-2d) is resistant to EAE through use of an identical immunization protocol, (BALB/c x SJL/J)F1 hybrid mice develop EAE after immunization with BP. T cell clones specific for BP have been isolated from a highly encephalitogenic line of (BALB/c x SJL/J)F1 hybrid T cells raised against bovine BP. The clones were examined for their H-2 restriction and specificity for heterologous forms of BP (mouse, rat, and bovine BP). The results revealed the clones cross-reacting with mouse (self) BP were almost always restricted to F1 hybrid class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) elements. In contrast, mouse cross-reactive clones derived from a nonencephalitogenic (BALB/c x SJL/J) T cell line raised against rat BP were largely restricted to H-2d elements. These clones did not cross-react with bovine BP. Four additional lines were generated by carrying the original rat and bovine F1 T cell lines on parental antigen-presenting cells thus generating lines biased toward homozygous (SJL/J, H-2s, or BALB/c, H-2d) restriction elements. These "parentally restricted" T cell lines did not induce EAE when injected in vivo. These results suggest that in this F1 strain sensitivity to T cell-induced EAE is associated with epitopes on murine BP that associate with F1 class II MHC restricting elements. In contrast, nonencephalitogenic T cell lines contain a high proportion of murine cross-reactive clones restricted to H-2d, the haplotype of the classically resistant BALB/c mouse. This work illustrates the use of T cell lines and clones in a model system to further analyze the role of MHC restriction elements in autoimmune disease occurring in heterozygous individuals.