The kappa/lambda ratio in surface immunoglobulin molecules on B lymphocytes differentiating from DHJH-rearranged murine pre-B cell clones in vitro.
The expression of kappa and lambda light chains in surface immunoglobulin (sIg) molecules on B lymphocytes differentiating from murine pre-B cell clones in vitro was analyzed. The four pre-B cell clones used represent a very early pre-B cell stage. They have their heavy chain loci DJ rearranged and their light chain loci in germ-line configuration. In order to grow in vitro, these clones require contact with stromal cells and the stimulatory activity of interleukin (IL) 7. Upon removal of IL 7 from the cultures, these clones differentiate within 3 days into sIg+ B cells. Between 7% and 12% of IgM+ B cells could be detected in these cultures. The majority (78%-92%) of the IgM+ B cells co-expressed kappa light chains. The percentage of lambda light chain expressing B cells was below detectable level. Upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, the percentages of IgM+ B cells increased dramatically (from 32%-64%). The majority (91%-97%) of the IgM+ B cells express kappa chains, but a very small percentage (3.1%-5.0%) express lambda. A similarly high kappa/lambda ratio was found in 418 hybridomas prepared from these LPS-stimulated B cells (388 kappa+ and 30 lambda+). Thus, the high kappa/lambda ratio characteristic of the mouse peripheral B cell repertoire is already evident in the antigen-independent transition from pre-B to B cells.
Basel Institute for Immunology, Switzerland.
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Rolink
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Streb
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Melchers
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015326:Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / Q000378:metabolism*; D007146:Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051379:Mice; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000737:chemistry*
D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains; D007146:Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell