Cross reactivity between H-2K and H-2D products. III. Effect of H-2K-H-2D cross sensitization on skin graft survival.

Cross sensitization between the products of the H-2K and H-2D loci has been demonstrated by an experimental design in which recipients were sensitized with tissue bearing determinants controlled by one locus (e.g., H-2K), and then challenged with skin grafts expressing determinants controlled by the other locus (e.g., H-2D). In one combination, experimental grafts were rejected faster than first-set control grafts. Cellular rather than humoral mechanisms appeared to mediate this effect. In a second combination, prolonged survival of experimental grafts were observed. This enhanced survival may have been influenced by serum antibody, either to H-2 or Ia determinants.