title: Differential usage of an autoantibody-associated VH gene, VH4-21, by human B-cell tumors.
abstract: Selection of immunoglobulin variable region genes for recombination in B cells takes place from among those VH and VL gene segments available in the unrearranged germ line repertoire. In the case of neoplastic B cells, there is apparent deviation in the use of V-genes from that expected on a random basis, both for VH and for VL. Also, the preferred V-genes, and their patterns of mutation, differ among the various categories of B-cell tumor possibly reflecting the distinct origins and clonal histories on the individual tumor cells. This review focuses on a single VH gene, VH4-21, which is a member of the VH4 family, and which appears selectively to encode immunoglobulins with autoantibody activity, particularly anti-red cell antibodies. The pattern of usage of this VH gene by B-cell tumors demonstrates clear asymmetry among different tumor types. Also, the mutations detected in this relatively non-polymorphic gene indicate that antigen, possibly autoantigen, may influence the behavior of the tumor cell.
authors.affiliation: Tenovus Laboratory, Southampton University Hospitals, U.K.
authors.forename: F K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Spellerberg
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Hamblin
mesh_terms: D000373:Agglutinins / Q000235:genetics; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000235:genetics*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D003450:Cryoglobulins; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015973:Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D015326:Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000235:genetics; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics*; D015448:Leukemia, B-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000373:Agglutinins; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D001323:Autoantibodies; D003450:Cryoglobulins; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; C029443:cold agglutinins