B-L antigens (class II) of the chicken major histocompatibility complex control T-B cell interaction

The detailed study of the genetic control of T-B cell interactions in the chicken has been hampered by the lack of defined major histocompatibility complex (MHC) recombinant chicken lines. In the present study we have used some recently described MHC recombinant chicken lines separating regions encoding antigens that are homologous to class I and class II antigens of mammals in adoptive bursa cell transfer experiments, in which bursa cells from newly hatched chicks were transplanted into cyclophosphamide (Cy)-treated chicks. Subsequent immunizations of the recipients with a thymus-dependent antigen (SRBC) and a thymus-independent antigen (Brucella abortus) showed that the generation of germinal centers in the spleen and the production of antibodies to SRBC required identity between donor and recipient class II antigens (B-L antigens), whereas response to Brucella antigen did not require identity at any of the known MHC loci of the chicken. The results thus reveal that also in the chicken class II (B-L) region genes encode cell-surface glycoproteins that serve as restriction elements in T-B cell cooperation.