Immunological studies of T-cell receptors. II. Limited polymorphism of idiotypic determinants on T-cell receptors specific for major histocompatibility complex alloantigens.

Abstract

The extent of genetic polymorphism in the expression of anti-MHC [major histocompatibility complex] receptors by T [thymus-derived] cells in different strains of rats was studied. The model of specifically induced GVH [graft-vs.-host] resistance in F1 rats was used which reflects a specific T cell mediated immune response against parental strain T cell anti-MHC receptors specific for host alloantigens. When A/B F1 rats derived from MHC incompatible matings are immunized with lymphocytes from 1 parental strain (A) they display a specific resistance to anti-B GVH reactivity caused by T cells from that parental strain, but not anti-A GVH reactions from the other. They resist anti-B GVH reactivity by T cells from 3rd-party donors (C, D, E, ...). The idiotypes of anti-MHC receptors on T cells, recognized by other T cells, apparently show little or no polymorphism. Anti-MHC receptors may be shared in the species and may be encoded, at least partially, by germ-line genes.