T cell regulation of light chain expression: preferential enhancement of Ig kappa in a primary thymus-dependent response does not require affinity-based selection.

Abstract

Previously we reported that the proportion of Ig kappa to Ig lambda anti-DNP antibodies produced by day 5 of a primary response to thymus-dependent antigens was fivefold greater than the Ig kappa:Ig lambda ratios found in responses to thymus-independent antigens. To determine whether an affinity-based process explained the differences in kappa/lambda ratios seen, we measured the affinity of Ig kappa and Ig lambda antibody by using the binding ratio radioimmunoassay method, which measures the affinity of antibodies of particular isotypes without the need for prior purification. By the addition of a mild reduction step, the affinities of IgG and IgM antibody could be simultaneously measured. The affinity of day 5 Ig kappa anti-DNP evoked by DNP-KLH is not significantly higher than that of Ig lambda anti-DNP evoked by DNP-Ficoll, nor is it significantly different from that of Ig lambda antibody produced. As an alternative to affinity-based selection, it is suggested that T cells can preferentially augment Ig kappa responses.