Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 13, 2026
Mouse Naïve CD4+ T Cell Isolation and In vitro Differentiation into T Cell Subsets
Published on: April 16, 2015
Major histocompatibility complex regulation of interleukin-5 production in the mouse
Insights
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) influences interleukin-5 (IL-5) production and IgA secretion. This genetic link in mice may explain human IgA deficiency associations with MHC.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Interleukin-5 (IL-5) is a cytokine crucial for immune responses.
- The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) plays a vital role in immune system regulation.
- Genetic variations within the MHC can influence immune cell function and antibody production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) in regulating interleukin-5 (IL-5) production.
- To determine the correlation between MHC genotype, IL-5 secretion, and immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels.
- To explore the potential implications for understanding IgA deficiency in humans.
Main Methods:
- Epicutaneous immunization of mice with picryl chloride.
- In vitro stimulation of lymph node cells with specific antigens.
- Analysis of IL-5 production and IgA levels in different mouse strains (CBA, BALB/c, BALB/b, BALB/k) and F1 hybrids.
- Mapping the genetic influence of IL-5 production to the MHC.
Main Results:
- Lymph node cells from CBA (H-2k) mice, but not BALB/c (H-2d) mice, secreted IL-5 upon antigen stimulation.
- Low IL-5 production in BALB/c mice was MHC-dependent and observed across different antigens and secondary responses.
- IL-5 production in F1 mice was dependent on antigen presentation by H-2k but not H-2d.
- Low IL-5 production in BALB/c mice correlated with significantly lower picryl-specific IgA levels compared to CBA and BALB/k mice.
Conclusions:
- The mouse MHC significantly influences antigen-specific IL-5 production and IgA secretion.
- These findings suggest a genetic basis for differential immune responses linked to MHC.
- The observed MHC influence on IL-5 and IgA in mice may provide insights into the association between MHC and IgA deficiency in humans.
Abstract:
Lymph node cells of CBA (H-2k), but not of BALB/c (H-2d) mice immunized epicutaneously with picryl chloride secrete interleukin (IL)-5 when stimulated with the specific antigen in vitro. The low IL-5 production in BALB/c mice persists when either picryl chloride or the unrelated antigen oxazolone are used, when the amount of antigen in vitro is varied and when a secondary response is studied. The difference in IL-5 production maps to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in the congenic BALB/b, BALB/c and BALB/k mice. Furthermore, lymph node cells from (k x d) F1 mice produce IL-5 when stimulated by antigen presented on H-2k but not on H-2d antigen-presenting cells. Finally, the low IL-5 production in vitro in BALB/c mice is correlated with low picryl-specific IgA levels in vivo, which otherwise are ten times greater in CBA and BALB/k mice. The influence of MHC on IL-5 production and IgA secretion in the mouse might be a possible basis for the association of MHC with IgA deficiency in humans.
