Differential L chain expression in the antibody responses to phosphorylcholine of adult bone marrow or peritoneum-derived B lymphocytes.

Abstract

Lethal irradiation of adult BALB/c mice followed by reconstitution with autologous bone marrow results in loss of T15 Id and IdX expression in the responses to phosphorylcholine (PC) and alpha(1-3)-dextran, respectively. T15 Id, but not IdX expression can be reconstituted with low numbers of syngeneic, T cell-depleted peritoneal resident cells. All three groups of mice produce comparable titers of specific anti-PC and anti-dextran antibodies. The inability of adult bone marrow-reconstituted BALB/c mice to produce T15 Id+ antibodies is not due to differential VH-gene expression in bone marrow or peritoneum-derived B cells. Thus, the levels of T15 VH in total serum Ig and in anti-PC antibodies are similar in all groups of mice. Furthermore, IEF patterns of T15 VH-associated L chains directly demonstrate differential Vk repertoire expression in bone marrow and peritoneum-derived B cells.