Complexity at the mouse minor histocompatibility locus H-4.
The fine immunogenetics of the chromosome 7 mouse minor histocompatibility (H) locus H-4 was investigated. Both class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and class II MHC-restricted "helper" T cells (TH) specifically reactive with H-4 antigens were isolated as clones and were used as genetic probes for classical backcross segregation analysis. Results of a four point cross indicated that the H-4 locus was actually comprised of two genes, that have been designated H-46 and H-47. The former encodes antigens recognized by the TH and the latter encodes antigens recognized by the CTL. Moreover, these two genes could be separated from the gene pink-eyed dilution (p) which was found to be "sandwiched" between them. The functional significance of a minor H congenic strain differing by both TH-defined H-46 and CTL-defined H-47 was addressed using F1 complementation tests. Such studies indicated that immune responses against H-46 antigens was required for generation of H-47-specific CTL. Altogether, these results suggest selective presentation of different minor H gene products by class I or class II MHC proteins and that the minor H "locus" H-4 may have necessarily included both TH and CTL-defined genes because of requisite TH-CTL collaboration.
Davis
A P
AP
Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine.
Roopenian
D C
DC
D000818:Animals; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D051379:Mice / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008912:Minor Histocompatibility Loci / Q000235:genetics*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology