MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX REGULATION OF INTERLEUKIN-5 PRODUCTION IN THE MOUSE

Lymph node cells of CBA (H-2(k)), but not of BALB/c (H-2(d)) mice immunized epicutaneously with picryl chloryde secrete interleukin (IL)-5 when stimulated with the specific antigen in vitro. The low IL-5 production in BALB/c mice persists when either picryl chloride or the unrelated antigen oxazolone are used, when the amount of antigen in vitro is varied and when a secondary response is studied. The difference in IL-5 production maps to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in the congenic BALB/b, BALB/c and BALB/k mice. Furthermore, lymph node cells from (k x d) F-1 mice produce IL-5 when stimulated by antigen presented on H-2(k) but not on H-2(d) antigen-presenting cells. Finally, the low IL-5 production in vitro in BALB/c mice is correlated with low picryl-specific IgA levels in vivo, which otherwise are ten times greater in CBA and BALB/k mice. The influence of MHC on IL-5 production and IgA secretion in the mouse might be a possible basis for the association of MHC with IgA deficiency in humans.