Major Histocompatibility Complex and Cell Cooperation

We have studied the role of major histocompatibility antigens on cell cooperation in the immune response of the chicken. In the 1970's, shortly after the initial discoveries in the mouse, we demonstrated that the T cell-B cell interaction is major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-dependent in the chicken and requires at least one haplotype identity between the collaborating cells. Later, by using MHC-congenic and MHC-recombinant lines, we demonstrated that the T-B cell interaction in antibody response is MHC-restricted, and more precisely, Class II MHC-antigen-restricted. Furthermore, we proved that T-B cell cooperation in splenic germinal center formation is likewise class II MHC antigen-restricted. Recently, we have focused our studies on MHC antigen identity requirements during antigen presentation by macrophages to T cells. In these studies, Class II antigens were found to serve as restriction elements in antigen recognition by T cells. Cytotoxic T cells of the chicken have been shown to be MHC-restricted in their function. Whether Class I or Class II MHC antigens serve as restriction molecules has not yet been determined. In conclusion, it is obvious that the function of the avian immune response is controlled by the polymorphic MHC gene products in the same way as that in the mammalian species.