Graft-versus-host reactions by NZB lymphoid cells exposed to major or minor histocompatibility antigens in irradiated adult mice

Abstract

The ability of NZB or NZB F1 hybrid lymph node cells (LNC) or spleen cells to exert graft-versus-host (GVH) reactions in irradiated adult allogeneic hosts was compared with that of similar cells from H-2-identical BALB/c, DBA/2, or DBA/2 F1 hybrid donors. Proliferation of GVH cells was determined by measuring splenic or nodal uptake of 5-[ 125I]iodo-2′-deoxyuridine 3 to 6 days after cell transfer into lethally irradiated hosts. NZB and NZB F1 hybrid LNC and spleen cells proliferated better than control cells, even when taken from donors as old as 68 weeks. NZB LNC proliferated extensively in H-2-identical DBA/2 or BALB/c host mice, whereas DBA/2 LNC grew to a much less extent. Similarly, NZB and NZB F1 hybrid spleen and lymph node cells were superior in inducing lethal GVH disease in irradiated adult CAF1 ( H-2 d H-2 a ) or in H-2 d -identical BALB/c recipient mice. The findings contrast with those indicating that NZB spleen cells lose the ability to induce GVH reactions in unirradiated neonatal mice. It would appear that different GVH reactions have separate cellular requirements.