VARIABLE REGION USAGE IN B-CELL DEFICIENT MICE IN A MODEL OF EXPERIMENTAL HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS RETINITIS

By using PCR, we have found previously that differences in T cell rece ptor alpha/beta chain variable region (TCR alpha/beta) gene expression in lymph nodes (LN) existed between susceptible and resistant mice fo llowing anterior chamber (AC) inoculation with herpes simplex virus (H SV). We now report and compare the immunoglobulin gene variable region (Ig V-H) and the TCR V beta mRNA expression in normal congenic mice ( BALB/c and C.B-17) and also in B cell modulated C.B-17 mice (B-). RNA prepared from spleen and LN of these mice before and after HSV-AC inoc ulation was analysed by PCR using oligoprimers specific for 11 V-H gen e families and 19 V beta gene families. Densitometry analysis revealed that V-H family mRNA expression levels in spleen and lymph nodes did not correlate with HSV susceptibility or resistance patterns in B-, BA LB/c and C.B-17 mice. Analysis of TCR V beta chain genes showed that s pleen of resistant C.B-17 and B- Ab transferred mice showed a preferen ce for V beta 11 gene expression not seen in susceptible mice. In cont rast, LN of BALB/c and B-, both susceptible mice, made TCR V beta tran scripts that were indistinguishable from those generated by resistant C.B-17 mice, following HSV-AC inoculation. Finally, TCR V beta gene fa mily repertoire appears to be severely diminished in uninfected B- mic e (50% in LN and 45% in spleen) by anti-mu treatment.