Specificity of H-2-linked Ir gene control in mice: recognition of the core structure A--L in defined sequence analogues of (T,G,)-A--L.

For further characterization of the processes involved in Ir gene control, the specificity of antibodies and the cross-reaction on the level of helper T cells was studied for a series of polypeptide antigens related to poly-L(Tyr,Glu)-poly-DL-Ala–poly-LLys[(T,G)-A–L] but carrying more defined side chains. Helper cell specificity was assayed in an in vitro secondary anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) response by cross-stimulation of primed T cells with the various polypeptide carriers. It was established that these polypeptides, although showing the same response pattern, were recognized as distinct entities in the immune response by B and T cells. If this common pattern is due to the effect of the sa…