Definition of 17 Rhesus Monkey Histocompatibility Antigens, Including One New Antigen*

Abstract

The complement-dependent microcytotoxicity assay activity of 144 rhesus alloantisera was evaluated in 112 unrelated rhesus monkeys and 33 pedigreed rhesus families. A computer-assisted .chi.2 analysis of the reactivity of these sera in the unrelated monkeys generated 23 groups of highly correlated antisera. The 2-locus model of the mammalian major histocompatibility complex was assumed for the monkey, and genetic criteria for RhLA antigens were determined prior to study. Seventeen groups of antisera met these predetermined criteria. Six were products of the B locus and 11 were products of the A locus. Sixteen were similar or identical to antigens described previously. One was not previously described. A frequency analysis indicated that these 17 antigens represented approximately 74% of the total expression of these 2 loci.