The B-Cell Clonotype Repertoire

Abstract

Publisher Summary Implicit in the clonal selection hypothesis is the existence of a repertoire of genetically determined B-cell clonotypes. This chapter focuses on the genetic determination, the development, and the regulation of this library of immunologic responses. The authors draw on their extensive experience in this field to put into perspective the clonal selection scheme with its more than 107 clonotypes and multiple forms and levels of control. In keeping with the genetic basis of the scheme, all members of an inbred strain express the same repertoire of major clonotypes. The maturation of the repertoire from its restricted state in the neonate to its full development in the adult is presented, and the many levels for control of this expression are discussed. The neonatal B cell repertoire is significantly more restricted and, preliminarily, appears repetitive within a strain. Clonotype expression is controlled at many levels and many assumed polymorphisms in variable-region structural genes between strains are more closely reflect disparities in control of clonotype expression.