Transferability of immune plasma and pronephric cells in isogeneic, allogeneic and xenogeneic transfer systems in crucian carp.

Transfer of immunity to horse erythrocytes (HRBC) by intravascular injection of immune plasma and pronephric cells was performed using histocompatible and histoincompatible crucian carp to examine "MHC" regulation in adoptive immunity. Clonal ginbuna crucian carp, Carassius gibelio langsdorfii and outbred kinbuna crucian carp, C. carassius buergeri immunized with HRBC were used as donors of plasma and cells for transfer to unimmunized members. Recipients were then evaluated by measuring the antibody titre in the plasma. Transfer of plasma was highly successful in all patterns of transfer systems such as isogeneic, allogeneic and xenogeneic transfer. Adoptive transfer of antibody productivity by pronephric cells was successful in isogeneic and weak H gene-disparate transfer systems, while antibody productivity was not transferable in xenogeneic and strong H gene-disparate transfer systems. In allogeneic fish, however, antibody productivity was transferable by the transfer of cells in some recipients which rejected allograft in an acute fashion. These results suggest that transferability of immune cells is strictly controlled by "MHC" and that the locus of "class I" antigens involved in cell collaboration or cytotoxic lymphocyte effector function is limited in polymorphism in fish.