[Relations between blood magnesium and the H-2 system in the mouse]

Red blood cell (RBC) and plasma (P) magnesium have been determined on 148 adult male mice of inbred, congenic strains. Among C3H congenic Mice, important and significant variations of RBC Mg levels are observed following the H-2 antigens of the strains tested, while P Mg levels exhibit generally small and nonsignificant variations. The opposite situation seems to arise among B10 strains. These observations are in good keeping with the previously demonstrated relationship between HLA antigens and RBC Mg in man. They suggest, furthermore, that the association between RBC Mg and the major histocompatibility complex may be expressed or not, according to other genetic factors, independent of the major complex.