THE NUDE MUTATION RESULTS IN IMPAIRED PRIMARY ANTIBODY REPERTOIRE

We have studied the effect of the nude mutation and/or T lymphocytes o n the development of V gene germ-line repertoire in neonatal athymic ( nu/nu) and euthymic (+/nu) littermates. A total of 2.35 x 10(6) and 1. 47 x 10(6) B lymphocyte clones from nu/nu and +/nu neonates, respectiv ely, were examined for the expression of select V-H (J558, J606, S107, 36-60, 7183 and Q52) and V-K (1, 2, 8 and 9) gene families as well as V-H (J558, S107) + V-K (1, 9) associations. Data showed that the nude mutation, whether homozygous or heterozygous, significantly affects V -H and V-K gene expression as well as V-H and V-K pairings and, thus, provide evidence for a defective development of B cell repertoire in b oth athymic nude (nu/nu) and euthymic (+/nu) mice. In addition, an ana lysis of 3.34 x 10(6) B lymphocyte clones from adult C57BL/6 mice show ed non-stochastic association between V(H)J558 + V(K)1 gene families t hat suggests restrictions on clonal population in order to maintain ho meostasis in the immune system. Studies outlined here, therefore, desc ribe an hitherto unknown defect in the development of B lymphocyte rep ertoire as a result of the nude mutation which is independent of thymi c dysgenesis.