H-2 LINKED RESISTANCE TO SPONTANEOUS AKR LEUKEMIA: A MECHANISM

ABSTRACT The role played by immune responses in resistance to virus-induced leukemogenesis has not been precisely defined. The present communication provides direct evidence for the involvement of genes in the B, J or E subregions of the H-2 complex in conferring humoral mediated resistance to the spontaneous AKR leukemia. Humoral immunity, but not cellular immunity, is effective in preventing the in vivo proliferation of AKR tumor cells. Furthermore, the development of effective humoral immunity depends on Ly1 + , 2 − , 3 − helper T cells bearing the I-J k phenotype.