Genetic control of sensitivity to Moloney leukemia virus in mice. III. The three H-2 linked Rmv genes are immune response genes controlling the antiviral antibody response.

It has been shown previously that three different H-2-associated genes control the resistance to viremia and leukemia in Moloney virus-infected mice: Rmv. 1, mapping to the I-A or less probably K regions; Rmv. 2, mapping to the I-C, S or G regions and Rmv. 3, mapping to the D or T regions. Experiments have been performed to determine the role of these genes in the control of the antibody responses directed against Moloney murine leukemia virus (M. MuLV) virions and/or leukemic cells. The inoculation of infectious M.MuLV failed to provide conclusive responses due to unequal replication of the virus in different inbred strains resulting in variable antigenic stimulations and/or in vivo antibody absorptions. The use of inactivated M.MuLV as antigen allowed to avoid these problems. It showed that (2) the IgG-specific antiM.MuLV response is controlled by H-2 linked genes, (b) a clear correlation exists between high or low-responder phenotypes and the resistance or susceptibility to M.MuLV infection and (c) all three Rmv genes behave like immune response genes. These results were not surprising for Rmv. 1 and Rmv. 2 which map in the I region of the major histocompatibility complex. It was more puzzling for Rmv. 3. Further experiments are necessary to determine the exact mechanism by which this gene controls the immune response.