VH family utilization by IgG anti-DNA-secreting lymphocytes derived from autoimmune MRL-lpr/lpr mice.

Objective: To evaluate the heterogeneity of the IgG anti-DNA autoantibody response of MRL/lpr mice.
Methods: B cell clones were grown on nitrocellulose membranes. Those producing IgG anti-DNA antibodies were identified by a modified enzyme-linked immunospot assay, and their utilization of IgVH genes was determined by hybridization.
Results: Four hundred sixty-eight IgG anti-DNA-secreting colonies were derived from 9 autoimmune MRL/lpr mice. Individual VH families contributed to anti-DNA production at a frequency roughly proportional to their representation in the expressed repertoire (except for the more frequent use of VH 7183 and less frequent use of VH 36-60). In individual mice, anti-DNA antibodies were encoded by 2-5 different IgVH families, with no single family constituting more than 27-65% of any animal's anti-DNA response.
Conclusion: The IgG anti-DNA response of individual MRL/lpr mice is oligoclonal.