title: Ig isotypes produced by EBV-transformed B cells as a function of age and tissue distribution.
abstract: EBV can transform human B cells giving rise to lymphoblastoid cell lines that produce and secrete Ig. Herein B cells from various tissues of newborns and adults were transformed by EBV and their Ig products were analyzed with isotype-specific mAb. Although IgG- and IgA-bearing B cells were present in the newborn, EBV transformed IgM-producing cells almost exclusively in both newborn blood and breast milk. IgM-secreting cells were derived from IgM+ B cells and IgM- pre-B cells present in neonatal blood, but only from IgM+ cells in adult blood. Whereas in adults most EBV-transformed cells produced IgM, producers of IgG and of IgA were present in frequencies that varied according to the tissue source. Precursors of IgG-producing cells were relatively abundant in blood, spleen, and tonsil, and relatively infrequent in bone marrow and appendix. EBV-inducible IgA producers were relatively concentrated in the appendix and to a lesser extent in tonsils and blood. Differences in the subclass composition of EBV-transformed populations of IgG- and IgA-producers were also observed for the various adult lymphoid tissues. IgG1-producing cells predominated in most tissues, and precursors of IgG2 were largely confined to the circulation. Whereas IgA1-producing cells were predominant in all tissues, a marked enrichment in IgA2-producers was observed in the appendix. These results indicate a remarkable heterogeneity in the isotype distribution pattern of EBV-transformable B cells that is determined both by developmental age and tissue localization. We propose that EBV selectively transforms primed B cells, the isotype commitment of which varies according to tissue origin and age.
authors.affiliation: Cellular Immunobiology Unit, Tumor Institute, Birmingham, AL 35294.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyawaki
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kubagawa
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007126:Immunoglobulin Allotypes / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007126:Immunoglobulin Allotypes; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M