[Rearrangement of immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region genes in human neonates].
OBJECTIVE
To study the rearrangement of immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain variable region (V(H)) genes in human neonates with different gestational ages (GA).


METHODS
Peripheral blood from the neonates with GA of 27 weeks (4 cases), 28-32 weeks (9 cases), 33-36 weeks (12 cases), and 37-42 weeks (13 cases) was collected. RT-PCR was used to amplify the Ig V(H) gene, and the PCR products were separated by electrophoresis and analyzed using 6% denaturing PAGE gel.


RESULTS
All Ig V(H) family genes had several rearranged genes in each GA group, and the neonates with different GA showed no significant difference in the median molecular weight for each rearranged Ig V(H) family gene.


CONCLUSIONS
The neonates with GA of 27-42 weeks exhibit diversity in Ig V(H) gene rearrangement, and for the same Ig V(H) family, the median length of the arranged Ig V(H) genes is independent of the gestational age.
Mao
Xiao-jian
XJ
Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. xjamao@tom.com
Xiao
Xin
X
Xiong
Ai-hua
AH
Qian
Xin-hua
XH
D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D050438:Genes, Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics*; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D005810:Multigene Family; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region