Evidence for V(H) Gene Replacement in Human Fetal B Cells
Year: 2002
Type: article
Abstract: Background: In contrast to evidences of Ig H chain receptor editing in transformed cell lines and transgenic mouse models, there has been no direct evidence that this phenomenon occurs in human developing B cells. Methods: VHDJH rearrangements were obtained from genomic DNA of individual IgM B cells from liver and IgMB cells from bone marrow of 18 wk of gestation human fetus by PCR amplification and direct sequencing. Results: We found three examples of H chain receptor editing from IgM and IgMhuman fetal B cells. Two types of VH replacements were identified. The first involved VH hybrid formation, in which part of a VH gene from the initial VDJ rearrangement is replaced by part of an upstream VH gene at the site of cryptic RSS. The second involved a gene conversion like replacement of CDR2, in which another VH gene donated a portion of its CDR2 sequence to the initial VDJ rearrangement. Conclusion: These data provide evidence of receptor editing at the H chain loci in developing human B cells, and also the first evidence of a gene conversion event in human Ig genes. (Immune Network 2002;2(2):79-85)
Source: Immune Network
Authors: Ji Soo Lee, Young Joo Cho, Peter E. Lipsky
Language: English
Topic: T-cell and B-cell Immunology
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W2047701852