DNA repair, H-2, and aging in NZB and CBA mice

Current evidence suggests that a correlation exists between the capacity to perform excision repair of UV-induced DNA damage and maximum lifespan in different species. Preliminary evidence has also indicated differences of DNA repair capacities in lymphocytes of several strains of mice congenic at the H-2 locus. It is known that the H-2 system influences maximum lifespan potential in mice. In the present studies excision repair of UV-induced DNA damage, but not gamma-induced damage, was found to correlate the mean survival in the adult inbred mouse strains NZB and CBA, using PHA stimulated splenic lymphocytes. Furthermore, in (NZB X CBA)F2 hybrid with adult progeny the level of DNA repair of UV-induced damage corresponded to the H-2 allele (H-2d/2d from NZB or H-2b/2b from CBA) inherited from the parental strain. These studies suggest the possibility of a tricornered relationship between the main histocompatibility complex, one form of DNA repair, and lifespan within the species.