Hybrid H-2 histocompatibility gene products assign domains recognized by alloreactive T cells.

In vitro recombination of cloned H-2 genes resulted in two allogeneically novel mouse transplantation antigens in which the C2 domains of H-2Ld and H-2Dd were exchanged. These genes were introduced into mouse L cells by DNA-mediated gene transfer. We have used these transformed fibroblast lines, expressing recombinant H-2 antigens at normal levels, as targets for alloreactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Transformed cell lines expressing native or hybrid H-2 molecules that share the N and C1 domains but not the C2 domain were lysed to an equivalent degree by primary and secondary anti-H-2Dd CTL. Hybrid and native H-2 antigens that have the same N and C1 domains were capable of reciprocally blocking specific lysis by the CTL. Thus, polymorphic determinants recognized by alloreactive T cells are located primarily in the N domain, the C1 domain, or both domains of the H-2 antigen. In contrast, determinants recognized by monoclonal antibodies are present throughout the H-2 protein, including the C2 domain. Antibodies that bind specifically to the C2 domain effectively inhibited CTL activity, possibly due to steric effects. The same antibodies do not competitively inhibit the binding of N/C1-specific antibodies. The predominant reactivity of CTL to the N and C1 domains suggests that humoral and cellular responses "see" a different spectrum of alloantigenic determinants.