Search

In mating tests of B6 males, and of congenic B6-T1a males, with paired B6 and B6-T1a females, there was a preponderance of matings with B6-Th1a females in both cases. These results conform to a hypothesis that in the Qa- T1a region there is an Ri (recognition of identity) gene which is expressed in females and influences mating preference; and that another Ri gene, expressed in males and also influencing mating preference, is situated elsewhere in the MHC region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has already been reported by one of us (Boyse, 1959) that intra- peritoneal transplants of spleen ceils from A strain donor mice that had been immunized against C57BL strain tissues were invariably lethal to hosts of the F1 (C57BL × A) constitution. In this report an account is given of the pathological changes in F1 hybrid hosts that have received intravenous or intraperitoneal transplants of spleen cells from parental strain donors, with particular reference to lethal transplants. Here the out- standing features are splenomegaly, wasting, progressive histiocytosis in the spleen and lymph nodes, disappearance of lymphoid tissue, focal necrosis of the spleen and cellular infiltrations round the hepatic vessels. Following transplantation by the intraperitoneal route there are also severe pancreatic lesions associated with fat necrosis and ascites. Differential (donor/host) cell counts of host spleen cell suspensions indicate that the spleen may be virtually replaced by donor cells, the majority of which are histiocytes. Erythropoietic function is progressively supplanted by donor tissue. Similar, but reversible and less extensive changes occur with other (non-lethal) donor/F1-host combinations. These hosts do not waste and the proportion of donor cells included in the host spleens falls until their detection, by present methods, is no longer possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fate of antibody-producing mouse spleen cells transplanted intraperitoneally into isologous, homologous and F1 hybrid mice has been investigated by the use of donors hyperimmunized against sheep or human red cells. Survival of the transplanted cells was indicated by a rising titre of haemagglutinins in the host or by a secondary response to challenge with a critical dose of red cells. This dose was sufficient to evoke a vigorous secondary response in immunized mice but only a weak primary response in unimmunized mice. Homotransplants between the C57BL and A strains did not survive in a functional state for longer than three days. It is suggested that antibody-producing cells are particularly susceptible to immune attack and may therefore be eliminated sooner than other types of cell. In genetically-compatible (C57BL×A)F1 hosts, transplants of C57BL cells survived for about two weeks: cells from isoimmune donors (immunized against the other parental strain) probably died out more rapidly. Transplants of A strain cells survived in some instances for four to five weeks: transplants from isoimmune donors invariably killed their hosts. It is suggested that the law which states that the tissues of an inbred strain are compatible with hybrid hosts derived by crossing that strain with another may require qualification when applied to cells which produce antibody. In such circumstances the outcome may depend upon the innate resistance of the transplanted cells to continued antigenic stimulation. Where this is high, as in the A strain, the host may die: where it is low, as in the C57BL strain, the transplant may die. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radio-iodination is not a satisfactory method of labelling mouse antibody, which is peculiarly susceptible to destruction during the process of iodination. An alternative which causes very little loss of antibody is the attachment of a tritium-labelled amino acid to mouse γG by peptide linkage. This is accomplished by reaction of γG with DL-alanine N-carboxy anhydride under mild conditions. The method is applicable to estimation in vitro of the relative amounts of H-2 antibody absorbed by viable cells, and of the relative amounts of H-2 antigen on viable cells. Non-specific uptake is virtually eliminated by: (i) prior absorption of the labelled product in vivo, (ii) pre-incubation of the cells in 20 per cent foetal bovine serum and its inclusion in the suspending medium, and (iii) performance of absorption procedures in the cold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TL (thymus-leukemia) antigens are specified by the YLa locus, which is closely linked to H-2, the locus responsible for the major transplantation antigens of the mouse. Unlike other non-H-2 antigens tested for, TL antigens did not separate from H-2 antigens through a series of purification steps. On DEAE ion exchange chromatography, however, certain H-2 antigens tested for were separated from one another, and TL antigens occupied a different position between them. Thus the properties of TL antigens that appear by gene activation consequent upon leukemogenesis in TL negative mice are not distinguishable from the properties of TL antigens occurring as a normal feature of TL positive mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]