Preferential H-2 association in cytotoxic T cell responses to SV40 tumor-associated specific antigens.

The primary cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to the SV40 tumor-associated specific antigen (TASA) has been analyzed in H-2 recombinant mice of the H-2b,d,f,k,q,and s haplotypes, in F1 hybrid mice (of each combination of these six independent haplotypes), and in intra-H-2 recombinant mice. A gradation of responsiveness to SV40 TASA in association with the various H-2 K/D alleles is reported. A weak response is found in association with the H-2 Dd allele, which is strongly affected by the responder status in association with the other H-2 K/D region determinants of the immunized host. Analysis of CTL from F1 mice, after secondary in vitro restimulation with SV40-transformed cells from either parental strain, indicates that in vivo priming to SV40 TASA in association with each K/D associative allele does occur, although efficient CTL are found only in association with specific H-2 K/D determinants after primary immunization. Mechanisms to explain host control of the ability to generate effector T cells to the TASA of this oncogenic virus are discussed.