Role of H-2 antigens in the host response to methylcholanthrene-induced tumors.

H-2 loss variant sublines of a sarcoma (M-AS), induced by methylcholanthrene in an (A x A.SW)F1 mouse, were used to study the role of the MHC products in the recognition of MC-TSTA. The two reciprocal variant sublines (M-A and M-S) were found to express the TSTA of the original tumor as shown by cross-reactions in graft rejection experiments performed in (A x A.SW)F1 mice. In the A/Sn and A.SW mice the presence of the reciprocal parental H-2 antigens on the immunizing cells decreased the response against the tumor antigens. An admixture of lymphocytes derived from hyperimmune mice inhibited the outgrowth of the tumor cells. The growth inhibition was mediated by T cells and was H-2 restricted. Cells derived from hyperimmune immunization but had no effect on the reciprocal variant subline.