THE ROLE OF HLA CLASS-II ANTIGENS IN THE INDUCTION OF CYTOTOXIC T-LYMPHOCYTES

Investigation of pairs of unrelated persons mismatched for a particula r HLA-DQB1 or -DPB1 gene on the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes ( CTL) revealed that HLA-DQ and HLA-DP antigens provided a slight prolif erative stimulus which was, however, sufficient for the generation of CTL. Monomorphic anti-DO and anti-DP monoclonal antibodies abrogated t he induction of cytotoxic response. The results indicate that the HLA- DQ and HLA-DP antigens play a similar role to HLA-DR specificities in clinical bone marrow transplantation.