MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX REGULATION OF INTERLEUKIN-5 PRODUCTION IN THE MOUSE

Lymph node cells of CBA (H-2(k)), but not of BALB/c (H-2(d)) mice immu nized epicutaneously with picryl chloryde secrete interleukin (IL)-5 w hen stimulated with the specific antigen in vitro. The low IL-5 produc tion in BALB/c mice persists when either picryl chloride or the unrela ted 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 th e congenic BALB/b, BALB/c and BALB/k mice. Furthermore, lymph node cel ls from (k x d) F-1 mice produce IL-5 when stimulated by antigen prese nted on H-2(k) but not on H-2(d) antigen-presenting cells. Finally, th e low IL-5 production in vitro in BALB/c mice is correlated with low p icryl-specific IgA levels in vivo, which otherwise are ten times great er 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 associat ion of MHC with IgA deficiency in humans.