Effect of H-2 complex on the growth of embryo-derived teratomas in mice

Seven-day-old embryos of several H-2 congenic strains were transplanted under the kidney capsules of syngeneic adult recipients to determine the genetic factors(s) governing the in vivo growth of embryo-derived teratomas. A.TH(H-2t2) and A.TL(H-2t1) strains showed significantly greater tumor weights than A.BY(H-2b) and A.SW(H-2s) strains. The A(H-2a) strain was intermediate in tumor size. A comparison of the genic constitution of the H-2 complex in each congenic strain suggested that the H-2D locus and/or its distal regions affected the growth of embryo-derived teratomas. The teratoma induced in the B10.A(H-2a) strain was smaller than that in the A(H-2a) strain, indicating that the genetic background of the A strain is favorable for teratoma growth. Histological observations demonstrated that the existence of embryonal carcinoma cells was necessary for the growth of teratomas. A radiation-sensitive immunological factor in the recipient probably plays a role in stimulating teratoma growth.