A genetic investigation has been made to find evidence for a single major gene controlling the reaction of mice to histamine after sensitization with pertussis vaccine. Two inbred mouse strains were chosen: A2G/Lac, which is very insensitive, and C57BR/cd, which is very sensitive. Mice of these strains, and of their F1, F2 and reciprocal backcross progenies, were used to elucidate the genetic segregation. The method depends on the selective sensitivity of the F1 mice to the dilution of the sensitizing vaccine. The results point towards the control of reactivity to histamine by a single major locus, and to a loose association of non-sensitivity with the albino gene. A method is outlined for testing that this association is due to linkage in group I. A comparison is made between this reaction and the anaphylactoid reaction in rats, and suggestions are made for its use in the furtherance of the understanding of allergy and anaphylaxis.
References
1.
AnkierS. I., StarrM. S., & WestG. B. (1967). Is the animal's defence against injury and allergic phenomena linked with resistance to the anaphylactoid reaction?Int. Archs Allergy appl. Immun.32, 329.
2.
BaileyN. T. J. (1961). Introduction to the mathematical theory of genetic linkage.New York: Wiley.
3.
BergmanR. K., & MunozJ. (1964). Histamine sensitivity in mice of different ages after Bordetella pertussis treatment or adrenalectomy. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. Med.117, 400.
4.
BloomJ. L., & FalconerD. S. (1964). A gene with major effect on susceptibility to induced lung tissues in mice. J. natn. Cancer Inst.33, 607.
5.
BrocklehurstW. E., & LahiriS. C. (1962). The production of bradykinin in anaphylaxis. J. Physiol., Lond.160, 15.
6.
BrownA. M. (1959). The investigation of specific responses in laboratory animals. Lab. Anim. Cent. coll. Pap.8, 9.
7.
BrownA. M. (1961). Sleeping time responses of mice—random bred, inbred and Ft hybrids—to pentobarbitone sodium, J. Pharm. Pharmac.13, 679.
8.
BrownA. M. (1962). Differential characteristics in uniform strains of mice. Nature, Lond.195, 204.
9.
ClaringboldP. J., & BiggersJ. D. (1955). The response of inbred mice to oestrogens. J. Endocr.12, 9.
10.
DeolM. S. (1956). Gene for uncomplicated deafness in the mouse. J. Embroyol. exp. Morph.4, 190.
11.
DeringerM. K., DunnT. B., & HestonW. F. (1953). Results of exposure of strain C3H mice to chloroform. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. Med.83, 474.
12.
FischerH. (1956). Morphological and microscopical studies in the inner ear in the spontaneous mutant (Dreher) of the house mouse. Z. mikrosk.-anat. Forsch.62, 348.
13.
GanthierG. F., LoewE. R., & JenkinsH. J. (1955). Histamine sensitivity of adrenalectomized and pertussis treated mice. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. Med.90, 726.
14.
GrünebergH. (1955). Genetical aspects of the breeding of laboratory animals. Coll. Pap. Lab. Anim. Bur.3, 39.
15.
GrünebergH. (1956). An annotated catalogue of the mutant genes of the house mouse. Med. Res. Coun. Memo. No. 33.
16.
HarrisJ. M., KalmusH., & WestG. B. (1963). Genetical control of the anaphylactoid reaction in rats. Genet. Res.4, 346.
17.
HarrisJ. M., LuscombeD. K., & PoyserR. H. (1967). The influence of molecular weight and structure on the vascular permeability responses induced by glucose polymers in rat skin. Br. J. Pharmac. Chemother.29, 16.
18.
KineL. S. (1953). The altered reactivity of mice after immunisation with Hemophilus pertussis vaccine. J. Immun.70, 411.
19.
LandyM., GainesS., & SprinzH. (1957). Studies on intracerebral typhoid infection in mice. I. Characteristics of the infection. Br. J. exp. Path.38, 15.
20.
McLarenA., & MichieD. (1954). Are inbred strains suitable for bio-assay?Nature, Loud.173, 686.
21.
MatherK. (1951). Measurement of linkage in heredity, chap. 7, p. 69. London: Methuen.
22.
MeshorerA., & BenharE. (1966). Accidental poisoning of inbred male mice by carbon tetrachloride. Lab. Anim. Care16, 198.
23.
MixnerJ. P., & TurnerC. W. (1957). Strain differences in response of mice to mammary gland stimulating hormones. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. Med.95, 87.
24.
NagaiJ., YamadaJ., YoshidaM., ChikamuneT., & NaitoM. (1957). Variation of the, mammary glands response of inbred female mice treated with oestrogen. Endocr. jap.4, 12.
25.
ParventjevI. A. (1955). Anaphylaxis at histamine stock in mice. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. Med.89, 297.
26.
RussellE. S. (1955). Significance of physiological pattern of animal strains in biological research. Br. med. J. 1955 1, 826.
27.
SpickettS. G., ShireJ. G. M., & StewartJ. (1967). Genetic variation in adrenal and renal structure and function. Mem. Soc. Endocr.15, 271.
28.
StaatsJ. (1964). Standardized nomenclatures for inbred strains of mice. Third listing. Cancer Res.24, 147.
29.
StandfastA. F. B. (1951). The virulence of Haemophilus pertussis for mice by the intranasal route. J. gen. Microbiol.5, 250.
30.
WallaceM. E. (1967). Linkage-testing stocks. Mouse News Lett.36, 12.
31.
WestG. B. (1967). Reactivity of wild and domesticated populations. Int. Archs Allergy appl. Immun.32, 396.
