Differential Effects of Interferon on the Expression of H-2K, H-2D, and Ia Antigens on Mouse Lymphocytes

Lindahl and co-workers (1, 2) have reported that mouse interferon enhances the expression of H-2 antigens on the surface of murine leukemia L 1210 cells (H-2d) and normal mouse thymocytes and splenic lymphocytes from DBA/2 (H-2d) or C57 BL/6 (H-2b) mice (3) and presented evidence that interferon was the responsible factor (1, 3). Furthermore, inoculation of DBA/2 mice with potent partially purified mouse interferon preparations (or viral or nonviral inducers of endogenous interferon) was also accompanied by a marked increase in the expression of H-2 antigens on the surface of thymocytes and splenic lymphocytes (4). The availability of restricted antisera against determinants controlled by subregions of the H-2 complex (Table I) has permitted us to show that interferon enhances the expression of H-2K and H-2D antigens, while affecting only slightly, or not at all the expression of Ia antigens on mouse lymphocytes.