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The distribution of Ia antigens was studied on murine spleen lymphocytes by an ultrastructural technique employing deep freeze-etched replicas. Ia antigens were labeled on cells from appropriate congenic and recombinant strains of mice by incubating the cells with FITC-conjugated anti-Iak antibody, followed by ferritin-coupled Fab anti-FITC. Ia antigens were detected predominantly on immunoglobulin (Ig)-bearing B lymphocytes. Antigens coded for by the entire Ik region were present on the surfaces of 95% of the positive cells (from B10.BR mice) in densely packed microclusters. Ia specificities coded for by the I-A and I-C subregions (on 4R and B10.HTT mice) exhibited a more variable pattern, with 30 to 35% of the labeled cells having sparsely distributed Ia antigens in relatively discrete microclusters. Binding of anti-Iak antibody at 37 degrees C led to patch formation but not to capping. Modulation of surface Ig left Ia antigens diffusely distributed on the cell surface, indicating that these two membrane proteins are independent molecules.

Genes mapping in the I region of the H-2 complex control a system of lymphocyte alloantigens (Ia) which are expressed on a subpopulation of T cells and on most B cells. Specific anti-Ia serum in the presence of rabbit complement removed the splenic T-cell subpopulation responsive to Con-A, but did not affect the response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or Leucoagglutinin. Antibodies specific for Ia, H-2K, or H-2D membrane antigens were used without complement to pretreat spleen cells. These antibody pretreated cells responded normally to Con-A and PHA.