Genetics of tissue specificity

A protocol for detection of H-Y antigenic variants

A skin grafting protocol is described for finding H-Y antigenic variants. The method is applicable regardless of the location of the structural gene(s) for this antigen (X, Y, or autosomal). Use of this protocol revealed no evidence for H-Y antigenic variation between C57BL/6J and strains 129/J, A.BY/SnJ, C3H.SW/SnJ, and LP/J.

Evidence for an H-Y crossreactive antigen in invertebrates

A sex specific antigen which crossreacts with the mammalian H-Y antigen has been identified on the cell surface of hemocytes from the lobster (Homarus americanus) and the gonadal cells of three insect species. The hemocytes from the male lobster, the testicular cells from the male beetle (P. cornutus), and the ovarian cells from two Orthopteran species (L. maderae and D. punctata) specifically absorbed H-Y antibodies. The specificity of H-Y antibody absorptions by cells from only one sex, suggest that an ancestral H-Y-like antigen may be present in invertebrates which could be engaged in sexual (cellular) recognition events.

Chemical markers of transplantation individuality solubilized with sonic energy

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Skin Grafting and The Homogeneity of Inbred Mouse Strains

Summary

The results of the routine skin grafting on mice from fifteen inbred strains have been collated and examined. It has been shown that when strains are maintained on a modification of the single line breeding system there is an overall frequency of only two per cent of graft rejections with at least six generations between donor and recipient mice. Successful grafts are usually obtained even when donor and recipient mice are separated by as many as fourteen generations. It is suggested that mice not more than two generations from their common ancestor should be used for large scale skin grafting experiments because of the unsuccessful skin transfer between some mice more distantly related. With some mouse strains difficulty of graft healing is apparent, and it has been shown that these results point to a valid difference between the C57 and A strains.