Cellular and Subcellular Distribution of H-2 Antigens

Abstract

The presence or absence of H-2 antigens on various tissues and organs of the body can be determined by transplantation and serological methods. Using transplantation methods, the antigens can be detected in three basic ways. One way is to transplant a tissue across the H-2 barrier in a congenic line; rejection indicates that H-2 antigens are present in that tissue. Another way is to inject cells or cell extracts from the tested tissue into a mouse, and then challenge the same recipient with an indicator graft; accelerated rejection of the graft signals the presence of H antigens in the sensitizing tissue. The third way is to use the tested tissue for induction of immunological tolerance in newborn animals and to determine the presence of tolerance by transplantation of adult animals with indicator grafts; prolonged survival of the grafts indicates their sharing of H antigens with the tolerance-inducing tissue.