An Evaluation of Some Genetic Factors Influencing Irradiation Protection by Bone Marrow

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A study of the genetic factors influencing the grafting of bone marrow in lethally irradiated mice revealed that a single gene difference at the H-2 locus provided sufficient basis for the severe reaction of the secondary phase of the irradiation syndrome. The H-1 locus provided a variable reaction, while the H-3 locus produced no reaction. In the testing of 27 inbred-strain combinations, no combination was found in which good long-term survival was observed when the strains were of different H-2 phenotypes. Nine inbred-strain combinations in which the marrow donor and the recipient were of the same H-2 phenotype, either H-2b or H-2d, were found to be compatible. Hybrids of the genotype H-2d/H-2k were tested against strain A and gave further evidence that an immune response of the graft against the host was responsible for the secondary phase. A gene-dosage effect was proposed as a working hypothesis to explain the variability in response observed in F1 hybrids treated with parental-strain marrow in contrast to the response found among different inbred-strain combinations. Evidence for a threshold effect in antigen-antibody response of F1 hybrid mice treated with parental-strain marrow was discussed.