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Diversification of sheep immunoglobulins
Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
|December 30, 1999
Summary
Sheep B cells show limited diversity in fetal development, with immunoglobulin gene segments primarily in germline configuration. Postnatally, V(H) gene segments undergo extensive mutation, suggesting novel diversification mechanisms in sheep.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The development of the antibody repertoire is crucial for adaptive immunity.
- Understanding immunoglobulin gene diversification mechanisms is key to immune system function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the sheep antibody repertoire development.
- To investigate the configuration and mutation of immunoglobulin gene segments in sheep.
Main Methods:
- Sequence analysis of Vlambda, Vkappa, and V(H) cDNA clones from sheep fetuses and post-natal individuals.
- Assessment of immunoglobulin chain configuration and mutation types.
Main Results:
- Fetal sheep B cells express immunoglobulin chains in germline configuration, with minor junctional diversity in Vkappa chains.
- Fetal B cells utilize 12 Vlambda and six Vkappa gene segments.
- V(H) gene segments in fetuses are in germline configuration but extensively mutate postnatally.
- Two mutation types (point and block) were observed in V(H) transcripts, with differential localization.
Conclusions:
- Sheep antibody repertoire development involves a transition from germline configuration to extensive V(H) gene mutation after birth.
- The distinct localization of mutation types suggests potential novel mechanisms for V(H) diversification in sheep.