The expression of Mlsc determinants on Mlsa, Mlsb, and Mlsx prototypic strains

In the mouse system, specific determinants other than major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene products are capable of inducing strong primary proliferative responses in naive T cells. These determinants are encoded by at least two gene loci designated as minor lymphocyte stimulatory (Mls) loci. In order to elucidate the biological role of the Mls system, an effort has been initiated to clarify the fundamental immunogenetic characteristics of the Mls system. In this report, we describe the unexpected finding that Mlsc determinants are expressed on splenocytes of strains including those which have been used as prototypic examples of three other Mls types: Mlsa (DBA/2, DBA/1), Mlsb (BALB/c), and Mlsx (PL/J). The expression of Mlsc by these strains was demonstrated both by the response patterns of unprimed T cells from MHC-identical inbred or F1 hybrid strains and by the responses of a panel of Mls-specific T-cell clones. The experimental results reported here also suggest that the expression of Mls determinants may be influenced by multiple other genes, including MHC-linked genes.