Genetic Control of the Immune Response

SUMMARY A survey of 33 strains of mice containing 20 different H-2 alleles was compiled with reference to their immune response-1 (Ir-1) gene status, i.e., their immune responses to the synthetic polypeptides, tyrosine and glutamic acid ((T,G)–A– –L), phenylalanine and glutamic acid ((Phe,G)–A– –L), and histidine and glutamic acid ((H,G)–A– –L). Correlations were sought between each of the known H-2 specificities between 1 and 33 and immune responses to any of the three antigens employed. Although specificity H-2.33 appeared to be associated with high response to (T,G)–A– –L, the significance of this observation must be cautiously interpreted, since H-2.33 is private to H-2b and recombinant alleles derived from H-2b.