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A lambda gt10 BXSB spleen cDNA library was screened with a DNA probe for the C kappa region. Forty individual C kappa+ phages were tested for hybridization with DNA probes representing 11 V kappa region groups. Of the phage inserts large enough to contain V kappa region sequences, 3 were negative for hybridization with all 11 V kappa region probes. The inserts from those three were subcloned, sequenced, and compared with V kappa region sequences in the gene bank. One was identical to 87.92.6 for the region sequenced (a member of V kappa RF). The second showed 93.8% sequence similarity with AN04 and called V kappa 32. The third called V kappa 33 showed 76% sequence similarity with the human sequence V52 and 73.2% sequence similarity with the mouse sequence L6. An insert from V kappa 32 containing the 5' untranslated regions through the codon for Cys 88 of the V kappa region was used as a probe in Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA from inbred and congenic strains of mice. V kappa 32 is a four to eight member group and some of the members are retained in the B6.PL-Ly2a congenic and missing from the B6.PL (85NS) congenic consistent with a map location near V kappa 28. The same filters were hybridized with the insert from V kappa 33 containing 5' untranslated region through the codon for Ser 93 of the V kappa region. V kappa 33 is a one to three member group and using the B6.PL congenics maps with the polymorphic fragments of V kappa 32 and V kappa 28.

A common cellular abnormality of all murine strains prone to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an increased spontaneous polyclonal expansion of B cells. Our findings support the existence of this SLE-associated abnormality because the numbers of B lymphocytes secreting all the different IgG subclasses and IgM in spleens of all lupus-prone mice are elevated, compared to levels of normal splenic immunoglobulin-producing cells. We also report that 1) spontaneous polyclonal stimulation of immunoglobulin in autoimmune mice is preferential for subclass, and that the preferentially stimulated isotypes in each SLE strain consistently dominate both circulating and kidney-deposited immune complexes; 2) distinct patterns of isotype preference exist among the autoimmune strains determined by inherent B cell proliferative abnormalities or by B cell proliferation affected by thymus-derived lymphocytes; and 3) chronic administration of the TI B cell mitogen Lipid A in late-life SLE-prone mice induces an early-life glomerulonephritis with auto-antibodies of an isotype composition characteristic of those spontaneously produced by inherently abnormal B cells of early-life lupus mice.

In contrast to most inbred and wild mice, a population of wild mice recently isolated from a farm in Centreville, MD, and designated CNV produced no anti-phosphorylcholine (PC) antibodies (less than 1 microgram/ml) in response to immunization with the PC antigen Streptococcus pneumoniae (R36A) and gave 9 to 36 micrograms/ml anti-PC response to PC-KLH at 14 days after immunization. When another carbohydrate antigen, namely, bacterial levan, was used, CNV mice all gave high antibody titers. When CNV (PC-) mice were bred to inbred C.B20 (PC+) mice, 82% of the F1 and 76% of the F2 hybrids were surprisingly non-responders (PC-), which suggested that PC- gene(s) of CNV origin dominated the response to these antigens. The 18% PC+ phenotype in the F1 hybrids indicated possible heterozygosity of the PC genes controlling the PC- response in the CNV mice. Genetic studies on CNV mouse No. 378 supported this possibility. Analysis of the F2 data strongly suggest that two genes determined the PC- response, one of which was closely linked to the Igh-C allotype locus (chromosome 12). Hypothetically, we propose that CNV mice have two genes that cooperate but that sometimes act independently to express the PC- phenotype. Surprisingly, when F1 mice giving PC- phenotypes were back-crossed to C.B20, very few mice (18%) were PC-. This indicated that the PC- determining genes of CNV origin were not able to dominate immune responses in the presence of a larger number of C.B20 genes. This kind of expression may be regulated by other factors, such as clonotype competition and clonal dominance.

The Ig kappa complex locus of inbred mice found on chromosome 6 contains one constant (C kappa), five joining (J kappa), and 100 to 300 variable (V kappa) exons and spans an estimated 500 to 2000 kbp of DNA. The V kappa exons are organized into groups of highly homologous coding regions (approximately 300 bp) separated by approximately 10 kbp of intervening sequence. A group contains from 1 to 30 or more exons (exon refers to uninterrupted coding region DNA which is capable of encoding all or part of V kappa gene) that can be detected with specific DNA probes in conjunction with restriction endonuclease fragments (REF) from genomic DNA. Thirteen DNA probes specific for different V kappa exon groups and one DNA probe specific for J kappa and C kappa exons were used in conjunction with 55 inbred strains in an attempt to detect RFLP that could be used to establish Ig kappa allelic groups and Ig kappa haplotypes. Each probe detected two to four different REF patterns (allelic groups) among the panel of inbred mice examined. Size estimates of the REF were made, and each probe detected 4.2 to 107.7 kbp of DNA, including faint REF, 675.6 to 723.6 kbp of DNA could be detected within a single haplotype. Based on these allelic groups, seven haplotypes were identified among the 55 inbred strains of mice. No subline differences were detected, and the distribution of allelic groups implied common ancestry among many of the inbred strains examined. The DNA probes were also used in conjunction with recombinant inbred, congenic strains and backcross populations of mice. By using the analysis of known Ig kappa r populations, and assuming a common ancestry among the inbred strains, a gene order was predicted: Centromere-Hd-(Ig kappa-V11, Ig kappa-V24, Ig kappa-V9-26)-(Ig kappa-V1, Ig kappa-V9)-(Ig kappa-V4, Ig kappa-V8, Ig kappa-V10, Ig kappa-V12, 13, Ig kappa-V19)-(Ig kappa-V28, Rn7s-6)-Ig kappa-V23-(Ig kappa-V21, Ig kappa-J, Ig kappa-C)-(Ly2, Ly3)-wa-1.

Antibodies to dextran B512 were raised in various strains of mice and were assayed by a radioimmunoassay procedure. Idiotypic antibodies to the IgA(k) dextran B512 binding myeloma proteins QUPC52 and W3129 of BALB/c origin were prepared in rabbits. After adsorption each antiserum was specific for the immunizing myeloma protein and did not react with hundreds of other myeloma proteins; nonetheless, antibodies to dextran B512 from various strains of mice cross-reacted in these test systems. Of the 2 idiotypes tested, the W3129 idiotype was more universally expressed in different strains of mice. The QUPC52 idiotype was the predominant idiotype in BALB/c anti-dextran B512 antibodies and was found in only a few other inbred strains. Using a battery of congenic and inbred strains, it was shown that the QUPC52 idiotype was controlled by genes linked to the Igh complex locus (chromosome 12) and to the Ig kappa complex locus (chromosome 6). The W3129 idiotype was found in a number of stocks of mice in the genus Mus recently isolated from the wild. The QUPC52 idiotype thus far was found only in inbred mice.

Seven BALB/c IgM, 4 BALB/c IgA, and 1 C57BL/6 IgA anti-alpha (1 replaced by 6) dextran hybridoma antibodies were characterized idiotypically. Five of the 7 IgM and all 4 BALB/c IgA proteins bear a cross-reactive idiotype present on the anti-alpha (1 replaced by 6) dextran BALB/c myeloma protein QUPC52 and on a majority of anti-alpha (1 replaced by 6) dextran antibodies in BALB/c mice. Of these 9 monoclonal antibodies, some have combining sites as large as 6 glucose residues, and some have combining sites as large as 7 glucose residues. Individual idiotypes present on QUPC52 are differentially expressed on the 9 hybridoma proteins that bear the cross-reactive idiotype. One BALB/c IgM hybridoma protein and the C57BL/6 IgA hybridoma protein did not react with anti-QUPC52 idiotypic antibodies; another BALB/c IgM hybridoma antibody showed only marginal reactivity.