The role of the major histocompatibility complex in the adoptive transfer of ectromelia virus meningitis.

Adoptive transfer of ectromelia virus meningitis was most efficient when donor-immune spleen cells and recipients were compatible in the K region of the H-2 gene complex. Weak responses could be obtained with H-2D region compatibility, but none occurred with H-2I region compatibility. Spleen cells used in adoptive transfers and cells found in cerebrospinal fluid from infected mice were found to have identical H-2-imposed restriction in their in vitro cytotoxic activity. This suggests a significant role for the major histocompatibility complex in the generation of virus-specific T lymphocytes and the recognition of virus-infected tissue in the central nervous system by these cells.