Genetic control of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis in mice. I. Lymphocyte proliferative response to acetylcholine receptors is under H-2-linked Ir gene control.

As a first step in determining the genetic control of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis in mice, we tested the proliferative responses of lymph node cells to torpedo acetylcholine receptors (TAR). Studies with congenic and recombinant inbred strains of mice revealed that T-cell responses to TAR are controlled by an H-2 linked Ir gene, mapping in the I-A subregion of mouse major histocompatibility complex.