Restricted use of fetal VH3 immunoglobulin genes by unselected B cells in the adult. Predominance of 56p1-like VH genes in common variable immunodeficiency.

The large VH3 family of human immunoglobulin genes is commonly used throughout B cell ontogeny. However, B cells of the fetus and certain autoantibody-producing clones are restricted to a recurrent subset of VH3 genes, and VH3 B cells are deficient in certain immunodeficiency diseases. In this study, we have sequenced a set of rearranged VH3 genes generated by genomic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from normal adults and those with common variable immunodeficiency (CVI). In both groups, all cones were readily identifiable with the fetal VH3 subset, and were further distinguished by limited DH motifs and exclusive use of JH4. In CVI, the residual population of VH3 B cells were notable for predominant use of 56p1-like VH genes. All clones displayed sequence divergence (including somatic mutation) with evidence of strong selection against complementarity-determining region (CDR) coding change. A survey of other V gene families indicates that human V gene diversity may be restricted in general by germline mechanisms. These findings suggest that the expressed antibody repertoire in the human adult may be much smaller than anticipated, and selected by processes in part distinct from the paradigm of maximal antigen-binding diversity.

Membrane mu poly(A) signal and 3' flanking sequences function as a transcription terminator for immunoglobulin-encoding genes.

Developmentally regulated mechanisms involving alternative RNA splicing and/or polyadenylation, as well as transcription termination, are implicated in controlling the levels of secreted mu (mu s), membrane mu (mu m) and delta immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain mRNAs during B cell differentiation (mu gene encodes the mu heavy chain). Using expression vectors constructed with genomic DNA segments composed of the mu m polyadenylation signal region, we analyzed poly(A) site utilization and termination of transcription in stably transfected myeloma cells and in murine fibroblast L cells. We found that the gene segment containing the mu m poly(A) signals, along with 536 bp of downstream flanking sequence, acted as a transcription terminator in both myeloma cells and L cell fibroblasts. Neither a 141-bp DNA fragment (which directed efficient polyadenylation at the mu m site), nor the 536-bp flanking nucleotide sequence alone, were sufficient to obtain a similar regulation. This shows that the mu m poly(A) region plays a central role in controlling developmentally regulated transcription termination by blocking downstream delta gene expression. Because this gene segment exhibited the same RNA processing and termination activities in fibroblasts, it appears that these processes are not tissue-specific.

Evolving abundance and clonal pattern of human germinal center B cells during childhood.

Childhood is a critical period for the development of the memory B-lymphocyte repertoire necessary in protective humoral immunity. This study addressed the natural history of memory B cells based on the previous identification of germinal center and mantle zone cells as the probable precursor and mature memory cell populations, respectively. Using flow cytometric quantitation of these B-cell subpopulations in human tonsil, we found that germinal center cells were abundant (70% of tonsil B cells) during early childhood (2 to 3 years), but decline by early adolescence (8 to 14 years) to a low level (33%, P = .0003). To study the clonal evolution of these B-cell subpopulations, germinal center and mantle zone B cells were isolated using a preparative magnetic immunobead method, and analyzed using a novel polymerase chain reaction-based quantitative assay to measure the abundance of B-cell clones bearing certain rearranged VH subfamilies. Two VH subfamilies were informative: VH1N clones were uniquely deficient in germinal center B cells at the early age period, but became abundant in later childhood; and VH3L clones were absent among germinal center cells regardless of age. In contrast, B-cell clones bearing each VH subfamily were abundant in the mantle zone subpopulation throughout childhood. These findings suggest that the abundance and clonal pattern of germinal center B cells evolves during childhood, presumably due to changing antigenic or ontogenic processes. Moreover, the distinct clonal pattern of germinal center versus mantle zone B cells suggests that a major phase of clonal selection occurs after germinal center emigration.

Fine-mapping of DNA damage and repair in specific genomic segments.

The susceptibility of various genomic regions to DNA damage and repair is heterogeneous. While this can be related to factors such as primary sequence, physical conformation, and functional status, the exact mechanisms involved remain unclear. To more precisely define the key features of a genomic region targeted for these processes, a useful tool would be a method for fine-mapping gene-specific DNA damage and repair in vivo. Here, a polymerase chain reaction-based assay is described for measuring DNA damage and repair in small (less than 500 bp) genomic segments of three transcriptionally active but functionally distinct loci (rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region [Ig VDJ], low-density lipoprotein receptor gene, and N-ras proto-oncogene) in human tonsillar B lymphocytes. Analysis of ultraviolet (254 nm)-induced DNA damage revealed single-hit kinetics and a similar level of sensitivity (D50% approximately 6000 joule/m2) in all three regions, indicating that a single photoproduct was sufficient to fully block PCR amplification. A similar time period per unit length was required for repair of this DNA damage (average t1/2 per fragment length = 23.5 seconds per bp). DNA damage and repair was also detectable with the base adducting agent, 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide. However, in this case IgVDJ differed from segments within the other two loci by its relative inaccessibility to alkylation. This assay thus permits high-resolution mapping of DNA damage and repair activity.

Inducible Ig heavy chain switching in an IgM+ Ly-1 B cell line. Evidence for a state of switch commitment.

We have analyzed the pattern of immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain isotype secretion in AJ9, a cloned, IgM+ murine B lymphocyte cell line. Upon induction by a variety of lymphokines and polyclonal B-cell activators, AJ9 cells express multiple subclasses of IgG and IgA in addition to IgM. In certain cases, mature isotype is restricted--e.g., IL-5 predominantly elicits production of IgG2 and IgA, a restriction also observed in short-term lymphocyte cultures. In other cases (e.g., anti-IgM plus 8-mercaptoguanosine, a polyclonal B-cell activator) production of mature isotypes is unrestricted. Under optimal conditions, only a low abundance of secreted Ig and low frequency of secreting cells (less than 0.5%) were detected. A serial cloning assay was devised to define the pattern of isotype switching in induced cells and their progeny. We expected to observe a progressive limitation of progeny to expression of single mature isotypes. Surprisingly, nearly all subclones of the induced cells were found to produce a range of mature isotypes. Sequential cloning in basal medium revealed that this induced phenotype persisted for more than a month (greater than 40 generations). Throughout this period, the abundance of mature isotype production remained low, and membrane Ig was exclusively of the IgM isotype. We interpret this induced response to reflect an intermediate state of B-cell differentiation, in which cells become committed to the switching process, but are not adequately stimulated to efficiently complete the process required for expression of mature isotypes. These findings are discussed in regard to the control of the switching process, and their possible relevance to the memory state of B cells.