Selective expression of antibody classes and contact sensitivity affected by genes in the major histocompatibility complex.

This report describes IgM, IgG and IgE antibody and contact sensitivity responses of strains of mice congenic at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) to skin painting with picryl chloride or oxazolone. B10 had low responses of all classes to picryl chloride. This was also reflected by the DNA synthesis occurring in their draining lymph nodes after painting. B10BR were high responders to picryl chloride for all classes but B10A and B10D2 were high responders for all classes except IgE. This presents evidence that genes in the MHC can selectively control antibody classes. The contact sensitivity response of the congenics to oxazolone confirmed the low previously described responsiveness of B10 mice. Antibody responses to oxazolone (agglutinin and reagin) were low for all congenics with B10 backgrounds.