Genes of the Major Histocompatibility Complex

Abstract

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of vertebrates encodes several classes of cell-surface proteins that play a critical role in regulating immune responses (Klein 1975). Class-I genes code for the transplantation antigens, which are required for the lysis of virally infected or neoplastically transformed cells by cytotoxic T cells (T-cell immunosurveillance). Class-II genes produce cell-surface molecules on bone-marrow-derived cells (B cells, T cells, macrophages) that play a role in the cellular interactions leading to the induction of immune responses. A third family of genes, the class-III genes, encode components of the activation portion of the complement pathway. In this paper we discuss our studies involving the class-I and class-II genes of the inbred BALB/c mouse. These studies provide information about the organization of the MHC on chromosome 17 of the mouse.