TY - JOUR
T1 - Expression pattern of the most JH-proximal human VH gene segment (VH6) in the B cell and antibody repertoire suggests a role of VH6-encoded IgM antibodies in early ontogeny
AU - Van Es, Johan H.
AU - Raaphorst, Frank M.
AU - Van Tol, Maarten J.D.
AU - Gmelig Meyling, Frits H.J.
AU - Logtenberg, Ton
PY - 1993
Y1 - 1993
N2 - We have developed a mAb (JE-6) that recognizes an Id encoded by the most JH-proximal human VH gene segment (VH6) in or near germ-line configuration. This mAb was used to determine the frequency of Id JE6+ B cells in large collections of monoclonal EBV-transformed and short term B cell lines derived from fetal, neonatal, and adult lymphoid tissues. Moreover, we investigated the presence of Id JE-6+ Ig in sera from neonates and adults and determined the (auto)antigen binding properties of VH6-encoded IgM mAb. We detected a fivefold overrepresentation of VH6-expressing IgM producing B cells in fetal tissues, cord blood, and adult bone marrow relative to adult blood. In cord blood, but not in adult blood sera, germ-line VH6-encoded IgM molecules were readily detectable. IgM secreted by VH6-expressing B cell clones displayed highly conserved and virtually identical autoantigen binding properties, independent of the length and composition of the IgH chain CDR3 region and L chain isotype. Collectively, these results suggest that the VH6 gene and the antibodies it encodes play an important role in early human ontogeny.
AB - We have developed a mAb (JE-6) that recognizes an Id encoded by the most JH-proximal human VH gene segment (VH6) in or near germ-line configuration. This mAb was used to determine the frequency of Id JE6+ B cells in large collections of monoclonal EBV-transformed and short term B cell lines derived from fetal, neonatal, and adult lymphoid tissues. Moreover, we investigated the presence of Id JE-6+ Ig in sera from neonates and adults and determined the (auto)antigen binding properties of VH6-encoded IgM mAb. We detected a fivefold overrepresentation of VH6-expressing IgM producing B cells in fetal tissues, cord blood, and adult bone marrow relative to adult blood. In cord blood, but not in adult blood sera, germ-line VH6-encoded IgM molecules were readily detectable. IgM secreted by VH6-expressing B cell clones displayed highly conserved and virtually identical autoantigen binding properties, independent of the length and composition of the IgH chain CDR3 region and L chain isotype. Collectively, these results suggest that the VH6 gene and the antibodies it encodes play an important role in early human ontogeny.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0027339564&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.4049/jimmunol.150.1.161
DO - 10.4049/jimmunol.150.1.161
M3 - Article
C2 - 8417121
AN - SCOPUS:0027339564
SN - 0022-1767
VL - 150
SP - 161
EP - 168
JO - Journal of Immunology
JF - Journal of Immunology
IS - 1
ER -