Further studies on the H-2 linked dependence of the adjuvant action of Brucella abortus

The B 19S strain of Brucella abortus is found to act as an adjuvant to the anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) reaction in some congenic strains of mice but not in others. If the recipient is H-2b, there is no adjuvant effect (B 19S); neither is there (thymus-dependent anti-B 19S reaction as measured by thymocyte activation and change of electrophoretic mobility. In contrast, there is a thymus-independent anti-B 19S reaction (production of haemagglutinins) as good in the H-2b mice as in the others. Experiments with T cell deprived mice show that the adjuvant action of B 19S is thymus-dependent. As the anti-SRBC reaction without adjuvant is also thymus-dependent, it is difficult to distinguish anti-SRBC and anti-B 19S reactions from the adjuvant action of B 19S on the anti-SRBC reaction. Several explanations are possible, all involving H-2 (Ir?) controlled thymus dependent mechanisms.