[Ir-gene control of rat T-lymphocyte proliferation in response to Ig allotype].

Antigen-induced T-cell proliferation in vitro was adapted to the estimation of antiallotypic response to Igk-Ib immunoglobulin k chain allotype of MSU/b and Fisher rats in WAG, August and FI (WAG X August) rats. August and FI rat T lymphocytes responded to Igk-Ib alloantigen with stimulation indexes (SI) 3.8-5.0 (high responders), while WAG rat T lymphocytes showed practically no response (SI 0.9-1.8--low responders). These results correlate well with our previous findings of Ir-gene-controlled antiallotypic in vitro reactions in these rat strains. Effective antigen presentation to FI anti-Igk-Ib T cells was observed only using Igk-Ib-pulsed antigen-presenting cells (APC) of August responders, but not of WAG non-responders. FI T cells responded well to PPD-pulsed APC of both rat strains. The data confirm Ir-Igk-Ib-gene control and, therefore, MHC-restriction of antiallotypic response in inbred rats.