V-LAMBDA LIGHT-CHAIN GENES RECONSTITUTE IMMUNE-RESPONSES TO DEFINED CARBOHYDRATE ANTIGENS OR HAPTENS BY UTILIZING DIFFERENT V-H GENES

The contribution of the lambda-light chain to the development of perip heral B cell repertoire and generation of specific antibodies to hapte ns and polysaccharide antigens was studied in genetically manipulated kappa-deficient and lambda(2)-transgenic mice. The results clearly dem onstrate a non-stoichiometric V-H gene family expression in the absenc e of k-light chain and suggest a non-stochastic pairing between V-H an d V-lambda genes, expressed in the peripheral B cell repertoire. A shi ft in V-H gene utilization in the case of Vl(lambda)(+) antibodies was evident in response to beta 2-6 fructosan and TNP hapten. These obser vations demonstrate the availability of compensatory mechanisms in the absence of V-K genes and are consistent with the hypothesis that V-H gene family expression is controlled by genetic factors from inside th e V-H locus. Furthermore, genetic factors from outside the V-H locus, namely restricted available light chain diversity, may lead to a shift in V-H gene utilization in the peripheral B cell repertoire. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.