Production of alloantisera against class II bovine lymphocyte antigens (BoLA) by cross-immunization between class I matched cattle

This paper describes the production of alloantisera directed against bovine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) (BoLA) class II antigens in animals whose MHC phenotypes had been defined by one dimensional isoelectric focusing. Animals of closely matched BoLA class I types were selected by serology and subsequently typed for class I and class II by 1D-IEF of immunoprecipitated antigens. Those with similar class I type by both methods, but differing at the class II locus, were chosen for reciprocal immunization. Cross-immunization was by two skin implantations 6 weeks apart. The resulting antisera showed low titre after the first immunization and elevated titre 3 weeks after the second immunization. The sera reacted strongly with cells expressing specific BoLA class II antigens. The pattern of reactivity correlated well with IEF class II typing on a panel of animals representing all of the class II IEF types present in the Friesian population.