[Genetic restriction of delayed-type hypersensitivity to tuberculin in mice]

An adoptive local transfer method has been used to study the immunological features and genetic restriction of cell interaction during the development of the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to tuberculin in mice. Peritoneal cells from the BCG-infected mice transfer the DTH to intact animals (into hind footpad) in both syngeneic and allogeneic donor-recipient combinations. Nonadherent cells (macrophage-deleted) transfer the reaction in syngeneic but not allogeneic combination. The use of H-2 recombinant mouse strains demonstrated that successful transfer of the DTH requires I-A subregion compatibility. Treatment of CBA cells with anti-Thy-1.2 antiserum abrogates the reaction transfer. These results indicate that antigen presentation to immune T-cells proliferating during DTH to tuberculin is mediated through the molecular products of the I-A subregion.