Lack of T-cell mediated cytotoxicity in M-MSV system depending on H-2 haplotypes

The H-2 restriction phenomenon was evaluated with regard to the immune response to Moloney sarcoma virus (M-MSV)-induced tumours in the mouse. Using an in vitro 51Cr release assay the lytic activity of lymphocytes from M-MSV immune strains of mice, including several H-2 recombinant strains, was determined on leukaemic cell lines originally induced in mice of different strains by neonatal infection with Moloney leukaemia virus. In analogy with other experimental models, it was observed that a compatibility between effector and target cells at the K and/or D regions is generally necessary and sufficient to obtain the cytotoxic effect. However, for the H-2d and H-2b haplotypes, identity at the K or D region respectively was not sufficient for lysis to occur. Attempts to demonstrate that this lack of activity might be associated with the absence of H-2 linked Ir responder genes, were not successful.