Negative segregation of Mtv loci in H-2E+ mice selected for high antibody response

Endogenous mouse mammary tumor proviruses (Mtvs) encode superantigens (Sags), which can delete T lymphocytes expressing particular Tcrb-V genes when associated with the H-2E molecule. In the present work, distribution of Mtvs was investigated in six independent pairs of mouse lines genetically selected for high (H) or low (L) Ab production to specific T-cell-dependent Ags. These experiments were performed to evaluate the role of Mtv-encoded Sags in the determination of H and L phenotypes. No systematic difference is observed in Mtv segregation between H-2E- H and L mouse lines. However, a clear differential segregation of Mtv loci is observed between H-2E+ H and L mice from three independent selections. The number of endogenous Mtvs in L lines is close to that found in laboratory mice. In contrast, Mtv loci-encoding Sags are almost absent in H animals. Although Sags profoundly affect the available Tcrb-V repertoire in H-2E+ L mice, it seems unlikely that Mtvs account for the L phenotype which can be achieved independently of Mtv segregation in H-2E- lines. More importantly, the results suggest that negative segregation of Mtv-encoding Sags contribute to determine the super-responder phenotype of H lines.