Description of a new Qa antigenic specificity, 'Qa-m9', whose expression is under complex genetic control

Abstract

The 'Qa-m9' specificity has been defined by a monoclonal antibody, and evidence for three-gene control of its expression has been demonstrated. The Qa allocation was made on the bais of H-2 linkage (H-2 congenic strains, RI lines), differential reaction with B6.K1 and B6.K2, and biochemical analysis (two chains: 39,000 M(r) and 12,000 M(r)). 'Qa-m9' is expressed on T and B cells in spleen and lymph node; it is present on a small population of bone marrow cells but is absent from thymocytes. The three genes involved in the expression of the antigen are: a) an H-2 linked Qa gene (possibly encoded by a gene different from Qa-2-6); b) an H-3 linked gene - probably β2m; and c) an H-2D linked gene..