Receptor revision of immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region genes in normal human B lymphocytes. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Contrary to the general precepts of the clonal selection theory, several recent studies have provided evidence for the secondary rearrangement of immunoglobulin (Ig) genes in peripheral lymphoid tissues. These analyses typically used transgenic mouse models and have only detected secondary recombination of Ig light chain genes. Although Ig heavy chain variable region (V(H)) genes encode a substantial element of antibody combining site specificity, there is scant evidence for V(H) gene rearrangement in the periphery, leaving the physiological importance of peripheral recombination questionable. The extensive somatic mutations and clonality of the IgD(+)Strictly-IgM(-)CD38(+) human tonsillar B cell subpopulation have now allowed detection of the first clear examples of receptor revision of human V(H) genes. The revised VDJ genes contain "hybrid" V(H) gene segments consisting of portions from two separate germline V(H) genes, a phenomenon previously only detected due to the pressures of a transgenic system.

publication date

  • June 5, 2000

Research

keywords

  • Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC2213516

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0034608480

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1084/jem.191.11.1881

PubMed ID

  • 10839804

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 191

issue

  • 11