Reactivity of the B6.C-H-2bm-1 mutant to the wild-type tumor EL4: characterization of the serological response

Hyperimmunization of B6.C-H-2bm-1 (H-2bm-1), a congenic mutant of C57Bl/6J (B6), with the C57Bl lymphoma EL4 resulted in the induction of antibodies with apparent EL4 specificity. EL4 reactivity was demonstrable in H-2bm-1 anti-EL4 sera by complement-mediated cytotoxicity, absorption, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. By these same serological tests, H-2bm-1 anti-EL4 serum was found to be nonreactive with B6 normal lymphoid cells, embryonic fibroblasts, and two fibrosarcomas previously induced in B6 mice by methylcholanthrene. These data suggest that the serological response of H-2bm-1 to EL4 is directed against tumor-associated antigens on EL4. These findings indicate that congenic mutants which differ from the wild-type strain at MHC Class I subloci, but which do not evoke serological responses to MHC components, may provide convenient sources for preparing serological reagents directed against tumor-specific antigens.