title: Somatically mutated member of the human V lambda VIII gene family encodes anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) activity.
abstract: A highly conserved small family of human V lambda genes was identified by DNA homology to a V lambda gene isolated from a patient with demyelinating peripheral neuropathy, and which encodes an autoantibody with anti-MAG activity. Comparison of the genes indicates that the patient V lambda gene was derived from one of the germline genes. Together with published analyses of other anti-MAG IgM antibodies, which also appear to be mutated in comparison to known germline V genes, these results suggest that development of these pathogenic antibodies may reflect an antigen-driven, T cell-dependent process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Ware
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Latov
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D007146:Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D015335:Molecular Probes / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D009185:Myelin Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D007146:Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains; D015335:Molecular Probes; D009185:Myelin Proteins; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein; D004247:DNA