Cell mediated lympholysis in man. The impact of HLA-C antigens.

From a population of individuals, all HLA-A, B, and C tissue typed in relation to the Sixth International Histocompatibility Workshop, an experimental investigation has been performed to study the influence of the HLA-Cwl, w2, w3, w4, and w5 antigens in the Cell Mediated Lympholysis (CML) test. The average cytolysis obtained due to allogenic attack of one HLA-C antigen equals 12.6%, but like the HLA-A and B antigens, HLA-C antigens exhibit differences with regard to sensitizing and target potential. This indicates either a heterogeneity of these antigens or the existence of separate CML determinants. It is concluded that the HLA-C antigens may account for the cytolysis observed in some of the combinations exhibiting cytolysis which cannot be explained by the HLA-A and B antigens.