Exclusion of V_Ha and V_Hy loci expression on individual B cells from normal and Y_H allotype‐suppressed rabbits

Abstract

The distribution of two heavy chain subgroups, VHa and VHy, on rabbit peripheral blood lymphocytes was examined by double membrane immunofluorescence. Fluroescent anti-a1 and anti-y33 were found to react with separate B cell populations; no doubly stained cells were observed. Further evidence for the independent expression of genes controlling the VHa and VHy subgroups were obtained by neonatal suppression of a 2 or y33 in a2y33/a3y- heterozygous rabbits. Suppression of VHa did not affect the expression of VHy, nor did the suppression of VHy affect the expression of VHa. The expression of a single VH gene per B cell is in marked contrast to the simultaneous expression of multiple CH genes.

Monoallelic gene expression: a repertoire of recurrent themes

“…In the immune system monoallelic expression, designated as allelic exclusion, is a fascinating aspect of the regulation of antigen‐specific receptors. Allelic exclusion was observed by Pernis and colleagues (9, 10) using rabbits with different allotypic specificities, and this observation predated the identification of the immunoglobulin (Ig) genes and the process of rearrangement. The diversity of the B‐ and T‐cell receptor repertoire is created from a relatively small number of V, D, and J segments that become shuffled by DNA rearrangement in somatic cells in a process termed V(D)J recombination (11, 12).…”

Contemporary Topics in Molecular Immunology

“…The allelicallyex-c1uded cell expressed either that haplotype inherited from the mother or that from the father. A few cells (pernis et al, 1973;Knight and Hanly, 1975) and molecules (Landucci-Tosi and Tosi, 1973;Knight et al, 1974) exhibit what could be interpreted as trans expression of V H and C H genetic information. In view of the possible existence of genes for "latent" heavy-chain allotypes Strosberg et al, 1979;McCartney-Francis and Mandy, 1979), the data are also compatible with occasional expression of "latent" V H or CH genes in coupling.…”

EXPRESSION OF RABBIT Ig ALLOTYPES IN LITTERS OF MOTHERS IMMUNIZED AGAINST A PATERNAL ALLOTYPE

“…It presents an excellent example of the mother-foetus and mother-newborn immunological relationship. Allotype suppression is also observed when heterozygous progeny of non-immunized mothers are injected with anti-allotype antiserum (Mage & Dray, 1965;Lowe & Catty, 1976;Knight et al, 1979;Hole etal., 1987). Since the total Ig concentration remains the same as in normal rabbits and the lack of one allotype in a heterozygous-suppressed rabbit (e.g.…”