DNA Repair, H‐2, and Aging in NZB and CBA Mice

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Abstract
A correlation may exist between the capacity to perform excision repair of UV-induced DNA damage and maximum lifespan in different species. Preliminary evidence indicated DNA repair capacity differences in lymphocytes of several strains of mice congenic at the H-2 locus. The H-2 system influences maximum lifespan potential in mice. Excision repair of UV-induced DNA damage, but not .gamma.-induced damage, correlated with mean survival in the adult inbred mouse strains NZB and CBA, using phytohemagglutinin stimulated splenic lymphocytes. In (NZB .times. CBA)F2 hybrid adult progeny the level of DNA repair of UV-induced damage corresponded to the H-2 allele (H-2d/2d from NZB or H-2k/2k from CBA) inherited from the parental strain. The possibility of a tricornered relationship between the main histocompatibility complex, 1 form of DNA repair, and lifespan within the species is suggested.