A single genetic element in H-2K affects mouse T-cell antiviral function in poxvirus infection.

Cell transfer experiments using mice with recombinant H-2 haplotypes were used to map the H-2 regions which must be shared by ectromelia-immune T-cell donors and virus-infected recipients for transfer of virus clearance mechanisms in the spleen. K- or D-region genes were necessary and sufficient; I-region genes were not involved. The remainder of the mouse genome could be varied widely without impairing the efficacy of T-cell antiviral function, provided either a K or a D region was shared in the donor-receipient combination. A mutation in a single genetic element of the K region of the H-2 complex abolished the antiviral effect of immune T-cell transfer in a donor-recipient combination which shared the K end.