H. Klinge et Dc. Roopenian, The same genetic regions encode minor histocompatibility antigens detectedin the context of different MHC haplotypes, TRANSPLANT, 67(8), 1999, pp. 1178-1183
The mammalian genome encodes numerous autosomal minor histocompatibilty (H)
antigens that act as a barrier to allogeneic tissue transplantation when d
onor and recipient are matched for the major histocompatibilty complex (RHI
C). However, most of our understanding of the genetic basis of such minor H
antigens is limited to analysis of mouse strains of the H2(b) haplotype. T
o broaden our understanding, we investigated minor H antigens detected in t
he context of other MHC alleles. As measured by graft survival and precurso
r cytotoxic T lymphocytes from blood, our results suggest that chromosomal
segments known to encode minor H antigens detected in the context of the H2
(b) haplotype are antigenically complex in that they also frequently encode
minor H antigens that can be detected in the context of at least the H2(d)
and H2(k) haplotypes. Genetic models to account for this complexity are di
scussed.