Variable region gene analysis of 2 human monoclonal-antibodies to gd3

We analyzed the genetic origins of anti-GD3 antibodies by comparing nucleotide sequences of the variable regions from the human monoclonal antibody (mAb), 27-26 (mu, k), established from a patient with leukemia, and another human anti-GD3 mAb, HJM-1 (mu, lambda) derived from a patient with melanoma. The variable regions of 27-26 and HJM-1 were remarkably similar to the germ-line genes. The mAb 27-26 was thought to be derived from germ-line repertoire expanded throughout our experiment. HJM-1 was derived from lymphocytes stimulated by GD3 abundantly expressed on melanoma cells.