Genetic Control of the Immune Response to Staphylococcal Nuclease

Abstract

A number of inbred and congenic resistant strains of mice were immunized with staphylococcal nuclease (Nase). Antibody responses were measured in the sera of the animals by a sensitive method involving inhibition of enzymatic hydrolysis of DNA, High responder strains included A/J, DBA/2, BALB/c, AKR/J, C57BR, and SJL/J. DBA/1 and C57BL/6 mice were low responders. The strain distribution of anti-Nase response potential was compatible with the relevant immune response gene(s) being linked to the murine major histocompatibility complex. Linkage of this response to H-2 was demonstrated by the findings that: (a) the congenic C3H/HeJ and C3H.SW mice were respectively high and low responders; (b) the congenic lines B10.A and B10.D2 were high responders, whereas the C57BL/10 strain was a poor responder; and (c) anti-Nase response potential of F2 progeny from DBA/1 x SJL/J matings correlated with their H-2 type. Three B10.A recombinant lines were used to map this Ir gene within H-2. B10.A(4R) was a high responder to Nase, whereas B10.A(2R) and B10.A(5R) were both low responders. We wish to propose the name Ir-Nase for the gene(s) controlling antibody responsiveness to this immunogen. Our data indicate that Ir-Nase is located within the same chromosomal segment of the H-2 complex as is Ir-IgG.

Complementation of H-2-linked genes controlling immune responsiveness

“…The finding that the antibodies from responder and nonresponder mice can share idiotypic determinants is in agreement with the recently published observations of Fathman et al [34], who investigated the genetic expression ofidiotypic determinants on antibodies directed against staphylococcal nuclease, an antigen to which the response is also under Ir gene control [55].…”

Genetic control of the immune response to staphylococcal nuclease

“…Further investigations showed that the levels of antibody produced to nuclease in mice were under genetic control by genes in the/1" region of the H-2 complex, and thus defined another Ir gene, termed Ir-Nase [16]. Further investigations showed that the levels of antibody produced to nuclease in mice were under genetic control by genes in the/1" region of the H-2 complex, and thus defined another Ir gene, termed Ir-Nase [16].…”

EVIDENCE FOR IDENTITY OR CLOSE ASSOCIATION OF THE Fc RECEPTOR OF B LYMPHOCYTES AND ALLOANTIGENS DETERMINED BY THE Ir REGION OF THE H-2 COMPLEX

“…Other Antisera and Antigen-Antibody Complexes.--Purified staphylococcal nuclease (nuclease) and mouse antibody to nuclease purified by affinity chromatography were prepared using methods previously described (20,21). Goat antimouse Ig was prepared by immunizing a single goat with 1 mg of immunoelectrophoretically pure mouse Ig in complete Freund's adjuvant subcutaneously three times (2 wk apart).…”