Specific clonal regulation in the response to phosphocholine. I. Genetic analysis of the response of a distinct idiotype (M511 Id).

The genetic basis of the BALB/c anti-PC response pattern was studied in allotype and H-2 congenic mouse strains. In both a T-dependent (PC-KLH) and a T-independent (R36A) system, one of the major anti-PC idiotypes, the M511 IdI, is under specific clonal regulation. The expression of the two other major anti-PC idiotypes, T15 and M603X, is independent of such control. The expression of the M511 IdI is controlled by more than one gene, with at least one of the genes unlinked to either the Igh or the H-2 locus. Low responder mice, such as BALB/c, possesses the relevant genetic information coding for the H and L chains of the M511 Idi-positive antibodies, indicating that the expression of this idiotype is dependent on a specific regulatory mechanism.