IMMUNOGLOBULIN VARIABLE REGION USAGE IN HUMAN INTESTINAL B-LYMPHOCYTES

The B cell repertoire was studied in intestinal mononuclear cells from normal individuals and patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by examining Ig heavy chain variable gene (V-H) usage. Using reverse transcription of intestinal mucosal RNA followed by polymerase chain r eaction with primers specific for each V-H family and a housekeeping g ene, a semiquantitative assay of V-H family content in RNA samples was developed. While all V-H family members were expressed, differences i n V-H usage in lamina propria intestinal B cells were noted between Cr ohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and normal individuals. mRNA transc ripts for V-H4 were present at seemingly higher levels than their geno mic representation and transcripts for V-H1 and V-H4 appeared to have higher levels in active, compared to inactive, IBD. Thus, within the m assive polyclonal intestinal B cell response, there is a skewed V-H us age which may be relevant to the antigenic and/or autoimmune response noted in IBD. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.