[Regulation of the intensity of delayed-type hypersensitivity to sheep erythrocytes by the K-region of the major histocompatibility complex in mice].

The injection of 6 x 10(9) sheep red blood cells (SRBC) to mice suppressed the delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) in situ and activated spleen T cells which prevent sensitization of syngeneic recipients. Similar effect was obtained when suppressor cells induced in F1 hybrids were transferred to parental mice. Suppression was also reached in allogeneic strain combination if suppressor cells of donors and recipients shared the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Studied performed with recombinant and mutant strains revealed that the prerequisite for interaction of DTH suppressors and effectors was the identity of K-region of MHC. Passive transfer of DTH to SRBC was also possible if donors and recipients were identical in K-region of MHC. It is believed that interaction between DTH suppressors and effectors is restricted by a region of MHC whose product takes part in antigen representation.