Macrophage migration inhibition factor against cell-surface antigens coded by the major histocompatibility complex...

We developed an indirect capillary tube method to improve reproducibility of macrophage migration inhibition (MI) tests using a one-way mixed lymphocyte culture. MI response could be induced to cell-surface antigens coded by either H-2 or non-H-2 (background) genes. The sensitivity was more readily induced across H-2 + background differences. The presence of only background difference did not induce the MI response to much extent. High MI activities were obtained to antigens coded by either K end or D end of the H-2 complex + background difference. Moderate activities were induced across the H-2D difference + background. These results suggest that the D region of the H-2 complex may direct a MI response when an H-2I difference is present during sensitization.