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 receptor alpha/beta chain variable region (TCR alpha/beta) gene expression in lymph nodes (LN) existed between susceptible and resistant mice following anterior chamber (AC) inoculation with herpes simplex virus (HSV). We now report and compare the immunoglobulin gene variable region (Ig VH) 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 inoculation was analysed by PCR using oligoprimers specific for 11 VH gene families and 19 V beta gene families. Densitometry analysis revealed that VH family mRNA expression levels in spleen and lymph nodes did not correlate with HSV susceptibility or resistance patterns in B-, BALB/c and C.B-17 mice. Analysis of TCR V beta chain genes showed that spleen of resistant C.B-17 and B-Ab transferred mice showed a preference for V beta 11 gene expression not seen in susceptible mice. In contrast, LN of BALB/c and B-, both susceptible mice, made TCR V beta transcripts that were indistinguishable from those generated by resistant C.B-17 mice, following HSV-AC inoculation. Finally, TCR V beta gene family repertoire appears to be severely diminished in uninfected B- mice (50% in LN and 45% in spleen) by anti-mu treatment.