The influence of the major histocompatibility complex (H-2) on experimental diabetes in mice.

Mice with different histocompatibility loci on an identical background genome (congenic resistant lines of mice) were used to study the possible influence of the histocompatibility complex on experimental diabetes. The major histocompatibility complex (H-2) was not found to influence the diabetogenic effect of encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus. In contrast the glucose intolerance following heterologous and homologous immunization with pancreatic antigens appeared H-2 influenced. Antibodies against cell surface components on viable B-cells were present in serum from mice with glucose intolerance induced by homologous immunization. The results suggest that the susceptibility to experimental autoimmune diabetes in mice is influenced by the H-2 complex.