Correlation of histocompatibility and biologically active serum factors between parental and filial generations of Wistar rats inoculated with Walker Carcinoma 256

Abstract

Evidence is given for a genetic control of the histocompatibility between Wistar rats and subcutaneous Walker Carcinoma 256. Selection for 1–4 generations for tumour susceptible or resistant animals respectively results in two separate groups with a predominant number of the selected type (80–100%). Furthermore, the proliferation speed of the tumour is significantly slower in susceptible offspring when one or both parents are resistant than in offspring from two susceptible parents.

The serum of normal and tumour-bearing rats of various histocompatibility types has been analysed by starch block electrophoresis combined with a germination test (the germination rate, i.e. the mitotic rate of mold spores is affected by certain serum fractions). One cation fraction, which moves ahead of the γ-globulines, and shows no absorption in UV, has a specific effect on the germination rate. This effect is correlated with the histocompatibility type of the test animal's parents. This same section of the pherogram shows significant differences between normal and tumourbearing rats (“tumour differential zone”). These changes of the germination rates, brought about by tumour inoculation, are again dependent on the histocompatibility type of the test animal's parents, or, if the genetic concept of histocompatibility is accepted, on the histocompatibility genotype of the host itself.