Murine MHC polymorphism and T cell specificities.
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are polymorphic in mouse and man. The products of these genes are receptors for peptides, which while bound, are displayed to T lymphocytes. When bound peptides from antigens are recognized by T lymphocytes, an immune response is initiated against the antigens. This study assessed the relation of the polymorphic MHC molecules to their peptide specificity. The results indicate that although an individual of the species has a limited ability to recognize antigens, the species as a whole has broad reactivity. This rationalizes the extreme polymorphism observed.
Roy
S
S
Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139.
Scherer
M T
MT
Briner
T J
TJ
Smith
J A
JA
Gefter
M L
ML
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D010582:Bacteriophage lambda; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D006825:Hybridomas / Q000276:immunology; D007114:Immunization; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000941:Antigens; D000939:Epitopes; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012097:Repressor Proteins