Genetic control and fine specificity of the immune response to a synthetic peptide of influenza virus hemagglutinin

Abstract

The immune response to a synthetic peptide, H3 HA1(305-328), representing the C'-terminal 24 amino acid residues of the HA1 chain of the hemagglutinin of the H3 subtype of influenza virus is controlled by genes in the I region of the major histocompatibility complex. Mice of the H-2(d) haplotype are high responders and produce antibody for several months after a single injection of peptide without carrier. Mice of the H-2(b), H-2(k), and H-2(q) haplotypes are low antibody responders. Investigation of recombinant and congenic mouse strains revealed that high responsiveness requires the genes that encode the I-E(d) molecule. Immunoassays, involving direct binding to analogs of this peptide and..