Genetic control of the immune rcsponse in rats 15 1 paramount importance for the rejection of tumors [ 181 and for recovery from many bacterial [ 19, 201 and viral infections [21-231. It now seems feasible that, by the appropriate modification of antigens, vaccines can be obtained which preferentially induce cell-mediated immunity, thereby very efficiently protecting animals against these diseases. The cross-reactivity of cellular immunity between structurally related antigens also suggests that cross-protection between closely related infections could be achieved.
Two new recombinant haplotypes of the rat major histocompatibility system, RT1, have been detected in [LEW.1A (RT1a) x LEW.1W (RT1U)] x LEW.1N(RT1n) segregating hybrids. Recombinant r3 carries the RT1.A region (determining classical transplantation antigens) and the RT1.B region (determining strong mixed lymphocyte reactivity and genetic control of antipolypeptide immune responsiveness) of the RT1a parent, bur rejects RT1a skin grafts. Recombinant r4 carries the A and B regions of the RT1u parent, but rejects RT1u skin grafts. The two histocompatibility genes detected are allelic to each other. The relevant locus, designated as H-C, maps to the B-region side of the RT1 system and appears to mark a third RT1 gene region, RT1.C. Availability of haplotypes r3 and r4 allowed the definition of a histocompatibility locus in the B region, H-B. The products of H-C, H-B and of the previously described H-A gene vary in antigenic strength.
Analysis of a recombinant haplotype of the major histocompatibility complex showed that two genetically separable loci (or groups of loci), LD--1 and LD--2, determine mixed lymphocyte stimulation in the rat. LD--1 maps into the H--1B region which contains the Ir genes and is associated with strong, mixed lymphocyte stimulation. LD--2 maps into the H--1A region and determines weak stimulation. LD--1 and LD--2 determinants can be detected by primed lymphocyte typing.
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