Immunology Dr. Jerry AtricK prepared two inbred strains of mice that were geneti

Question

Immunology

Dr. Jerry AtricK prepared two inbred strains of mice that were genetically identical except for the MHC region. They didn't share any MHC alleles (we'll call their respective haplotypes H-2^x and H-2^y). He tested the two strains for susceptibility to a newly-discovered superantjgen toxin, and found that the H-2^x mice were highly susceptible to the toxin, but the H-2^y mice were relatively resistant. He expected that the superantigen would have a higher affinity for MHC alleles in the H-2^y, animals than in the H-2^x animals, but when he tested them, he found there was no difference between the two strains with respect to the affinity of the superantigen for their respective MHC molecules. EXPLAIN his results.

Explanation / Answer

H-2x and H-2y have differeneces in the MHC region which might be responsible for the susceptibility response of the H-2x for the toxin. They have similar response with respect to affinity of the superantigen with their respective MHC. In addition to the primary action of processing and presentation of antigens to T cells by the MHC genes, there are many other important functions encoded by them. There has been strong evidences of the polymorphism displayed by the MHC with susceptibility to certain diseases. The disease mechnism may not also be immune related.

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