The Effect of X-Ray on the Antigenicity of Donor Cells in Transplantation Immunity

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Abstract
Summary: The x-ray sensitivity of normal histocompatibility antigens in mice was studied. Strong antigens associated with the H-2 locus were found to be resistant to as much as 12,800 r in vitro, in that mice inoculated with such heavily irradiated cells were immunized by them and gave second set responses to subsequent skin grafts. Weak antigens associated with H-1 and H-3 loci were effectively destroyed by as little as 400 r, failing to induce immunity after irradiation in vitro. The cells used to induce immunity were spleen cells and a methylcholanthrene-induced sarcoma. Possible biologic relationships between strong and weak transplantation antigens are discussed and a reason for their different sensitivities to irradiation suggested.