Lambda chain expression at different stages of ontogeny in C57BL/6, BALB/c and SJL mice.

Abstract

AbstractIn C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, 2–3% of immunoglobulin‐positive cells express λ1 and 1–2% λ2 chains at the cell surface. These percentages are constant from the time around birth until adult age. The levels of λ1 chains in serum antibodies correspond closely to those in the B cell population in both mouse strains whereas in the case of λ2 chains, they are three times lower in serum antibodies than in the B cell population.In strain SJL, λ2‐bearing B cells occur in similar frequencies as in BALB/c and C57BL/6, both in newborn and adult animals. However, the level of λ2‐bearing immunoglobulins in the serum is 30 times below that expected on the basis of the cellular analysis and 10 times lower than in BALB/c and C57BL/6. B cells expressing λ1‐like light chains were found in normal frequency in newborn SJL mice with a monoclonal rat anti‐λ1 antibody. In adult animals such cells were present in a frequency 100 times below that characteristic for BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. The concentration of immunoglobulin reactive with rat anti‐λ1 antibody was 300 times lower in SJL than in BALB/c and C57BL/6 serum, in accord with previous data (W. Geckeler et al., J. Exp. Med. 1978. 148: 1122).The notion that in SJL mice a control mechanism specifically suppressess λ chain expression is further supported by an analysis of the early primary anti‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐nitro‐phenyl)acetyl (NP) response. We show that this response is initially dominated by antibody‐forming cells secreting antibodies with λ1‐like light chains. These cells rapidly disappear and appear to be selected against particulary in the IgG response.The monoclonal SJL anti‐λ1 antibody Ls136 (M. Reth et al., Eur. J. Immunol. 1979. 9: 1004) does not stain any B cells in SJL mice, whereas it detects λ1‐bearing cells in C57BL/6 and BALB/c animals in the expected frequency.