Genetic control of sensitization to structurally unrelated antigens and its relationship to histocompatibility antigens in guinea-pigs.

Five strains of guinea-pigs homozygous for GPL-A and 2/13 histocompatibility antigens were sequentially immunized with seven structurally unrelated antigens (TGAL, BPO-BGG, ASAN, BPO-PLL, phenetidine, horseradish peroxidase and DNP-dodecapeptide). Considerable differences in the immune response were observed, as measured by delayed skin reactivity and antigen-induced lymphocyte stimulation in vitro. The data presented show that when the progeny of various back-cross matings are analysed for their responder status, the responses to the antigens (TGAL, BPO-BGG, phenetidine and ASAN) are in most cases linked to the genes controlling the respective histocompatibility antigens. However, it appears that the responses to the various antigens in our system may be under polygenic control.