Genetic and temporal control of neonatal antibody expression

The developmental patterns of B cell precursors distinguishing between environmental and nonenvironmental forms of phosphocholine

We have analyzed the developmental patterns of two groups of B cell precursors in nonimmunized BALB/c mice with respect to their relative proportions, absolute frequencies, V gene usage, fine specificity, and avidity for antigen. One group of B cells (group I) secretes antibodies specific for PC and PC-containing bacteria, whereas the other group (group II) produces antibodies recognizing only nonenvironmental PC-protein conjugates. A marked shift in the proportions of group I and group II occurs during ontogeny: while the group I B cells dominate (greater than 85%) the adult antibody repertoire, the group II B cells have equal representation in neonatal mice from Days 1 to 7, and remain as a significant portion until 2 weeks of age. Examination of the absolute frequencies of group I and group II B cells revealed that the frequency of group II B cells remained relatively stable throughout ontogeny, whereas group I B cells expanded rapidly after 7 days of age to predominate in the adult. Genetic analysis indicated that early group I antibodies were encoded by VH and VL genes different from adult group I antibodies which are mostly encoded by a single VH (S107) and VL (V kappa 22) gene combination (the T15 idiotype). On the other hand, early group II antibodies used VH genes comparable to their adult counterparts. The majority of early group I antibodies have lower avidity for PC than adult T15+ antibodies, whereas the avidity of neonatal group II antibodies varies considerably and is comparable with that of the adult group II antibodies. Our results suggest that the ontogeny of phosphocholine-specific B cells may be regulated according to their fine specificity rather than to their avidity or V gene usage.

Molecular characterization of the variable regions of a mouse polyreactive IgG2b antibody with rheumatoid factor activity

The complete nucleotide sequences of heavy and light chains of a mouse polyreactive IgG2b antibody were determined. This antibody, obtained after primary immunization of BALB/c mice with human lymphoblastoid cells, possess anti-HLA-DR and anti-rheumatoid factor activities and reacts with various self and nonself antigens. The VL and VH segments were found to belong to the VK8 and VH7183 families, respectively. The VH segment shared a high percentage of sequence similarity (95%) with previously described germline genes. The VK segment had 98.9% of sequence similarity with a consensus sequence VK8 of antibodies with anti-phosphorylcholine activity. Furthermore, the framework regions 2 and 3 of the VL segment were very similar to the framework regions 2 and 3 of other antibodies known to possess rheumatoid factor activity. We postulate that during immunization, the presence of HLA-DR antigens selects precursors having configurations similar to that of the germline, and induces some somatic mutations that do not significantly affect antibody polyreactivity.

Interrelating B cell subpopulations and environmental regulation with the expression of three tiers of repertoire diversity

The B cell repertoire consists of three tiers of clonotype diversity. One tier, which is the product of H chain V region rearrangements in the absence of N additions, is of limited diversity (less than 10(8) clonotypes) so that clonotypes of this tier would be expected to recur within and among B cells of individuals of an inbred strain. These clonotypes, therefore, could be subjected to, and conserved by, evolutionary selective pressures such as those imposed by ubiquitous bacterial pathogens. The second tier of clonotypes is created by H chain V region rearrangements that include N additions, and is, therefore, exceedingly diverse. Clonotypes of this tier would be unlikely to recur; however, by providing maximal diversity they would ensure protection against a wide spectrum of pathogens. The third tier of diversity is that which is generated by the superimposition of somatic mutations on clonotypes of the other two tiers. This tier of clonotypes is reflective of the refinement of specificities that are destined for expression in memory B cells. B cells exists as three distinct subpopulations, Ly-1 B cells, conventional primary B cells and memory B cells. These subpopulations differ functionally, developmentally, and by the extent to which they are impacted by immunoregulatory processes. Furthermore, B cells of these subpopulations differentially express the three tiers of clonotype diversity.

Ontogeny of the immune system and the invisible frontier to immune regulation

The data presented focus on three topics: 1) Self-reactivity of early B cells as a constitutive feature of the immune system; 2) Self-reactive V regions and their possible involvement in immune regulation; and 3) Autoantibodies directed at T cell surface molecules as a new form of direct regulation of the B cell repertoire on the T cell compartment. Evidence is provided for lack of substantial difference in the reactivity of neonatal hybridomas from normal and autoimmune mice, and the proposal is made that the immune systems of normal and autoimmune neonatal mice start with similar characteristics implying that avoidance of autoimmune disease is matter of active regulation through a process learned in ontogeny. Two general possibilities for immune regulation are discussed. One is based on the V regions of self-reactive antibodies and their antigenic determinants. The other is through natural autoantibodies able to interfere with the state of activation of T cells. It is concluded that the role of highly conserved structures like self antigens is to maintain immunoglobulin genes and favor their expression in the incipient immune system so that simple patterns of regulation can be set in motion and made available.

Biased expression of JH-proximal VH genes occurs in the newly generated repertoire of neonatal and adult mice

We have previously demonstrated a dramatic preference for utilization of the most JH-proximal VH gene segments in the newborn liver versus adult spleen. We now examine in detail the relative expression of different VH gene families throughout ontogeny and in immunodeficient mice to gain insight into factors that cause the shift in VH usage. We find that the relative expression of VH gene families remains constant and biased throughout fetal and neonatal liver development. In addition, the primary VH repertoire expressed in neonatal spleen displays a similarly biased, position-dependent VH repertoire. The pattern of VH gene expression begins to change at 5-7 d postnatally and reaches the adult randomized pattern at approximately 2 wk of age. We also find biased expression of JH-proximal VH gene families in adult bone marrow and in spleens of adult leaky scid mice, suggesting that the spontaneously generated repertoire of adult mice is similar to that observed in neonates. Together, these data suggest that a position-dependent repertoire is generated in differentiating pre-B cells at all stages of ontogeny, at least in part, as a result of preferential rearrangement of proximal VH gene segments. Therefore, mechanisms subsequent to V gene rearrangement, such as regulatory interactions and antigen selection, must play a major role in normalizing the repertoire.

Autoantibodies and the fetal antibody repertoire

Developing fetal B cells preferentially rearrange a restricted subset of the encoded antibody gene segments. There are striking structural similarities between elements expressed early in man and in mouse, most evident on comparison of murine VH elements from the VH7183 family to human VH elements of the VH3 family. The similarity is pronounced in two framework regions which together encode a possible binding site that is distinct from the classical antigen-combining site. By comparing all known human and murine VH gene sequences, we have demonstrated that these regions have been conserved in a family-specific manner throughout the mammalian radiation. The "non-conserved" spacer of the recombinase recognition signal is also highly conserved in a family-specific manner, suggesting a mechanism by which the expression of family-dependent features may be regulated. The evidence that such features contribute to the high incidence of self- and poly-specificity in the fetal antibody repertoire is reviewed.

Elevated PC responsive B cells and anti-PC antibody production in transgenic mice harboring anti-PC immunoglobulin genes

The rearrangement of heavy and light chain immunoglobulin genes is necessary for the production of functional antibody molecules. The myeloma MOPC 167 produces specific antibodies to the antigen phosphorylcholine (PC), which is present on bacterial surfaces, fungi and other environmental contaminants. Rearranged heavy and light chain immunoglobulin genes cloned from MOPC 167 were microinjected into mouse eggs. Within the resulting transgenic mice, expression of the transgenes were limited to lymphoid tissues. Transgenic mice produced elevated levels of anti-PC antibodies constitutively, at 16 days of age, when normal non-transgenic mice were not fully immunocompetent. A triggering antigenic stimulus was not necessary to evoke anti-PC immunoglobulin production. Additionally, the frequency of PC-responsive B cells in these transgenic mice was further increased upon specific immunization.

Primary response to lysozyme (HEL) and HEL-LPS in neonatal A/J mice: presence of characteristic adult pattern of regulatory idiotype and fine specificity restriction

The adult primary murine plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to hen egg-white lysozyme (HEL) is characterized by a predominant idiotype (IdXE) (congruent to 50% of population) and a predominant specificity (congruent to 50% of population) for a determinant dependent on the 3 amino-terminal residues of HEL (TIP-dependent PFC). IdXE and TIP specificity, however, are not congruent: approximately 1/3 of each population do not overlap (1). To determine whether these characteristics result from a prolonged selection process during development, we compared the neonatal A/J response profile to HEL-CFA with the adult A/J response and found that the adult pattern was present for mice immunized as early as 5 days of age. At 5 days, A/J splenic PFC were 80% TIP dependent, 71% IdXE positive compared to the adult levels of 56% (+/- 14) TIP dependent, 43% (+/- 19) IdXE positive. To attempt to address the B cells directly and avoid the need for antigen-specific T-dependent processes, we studied the PFC response to HEL-LPS conjugates in adult and 12-day-old A/J mice. At the earliest age studied (12 days), the indirect splenic PFC had similar idiotypy and specificity as the adult, and the response was similar to that induced by HEL-CFA. Although the absolute IgM PFC level was equal in adult and neonate, only 11% of the adult PFC response was IgM while a large proportion of the 12-day-old HEL-LPS response was IgM. This IgM PFC response was also characterized by the same idiotypy and specificity as the IgG PFC response. These results suggest that the characteristic adult mosaic of specificity and idiotypy in the anti-HEL response may exist prior to antigenic stimulation since it occurs as early as 5 days after immunization and in the IgM PFC responses. Although IdXE predominance may merely reflect the germ line repertoire, T cells may also be involved in an idiotype-based selection, the mechanism of which has not been determined.

Effect of growth and differentiation stimuli on the development of antigen-responsive B cells in fetal liver

The development of the B cell immune repertoire was studied using an in vitro fetal organ culture system. In order to analyze the mechanism by which B cell precursors clonally expand and diversify, fetal lymphoid tissues were incubated in the presence of several factors known to influence B cell differentiation: IL-1, IL-2, WEHI-3 culture supernatant containing IL-3, and a factor from a cyclic neutropenia patient (CNF). By analyzing the effect of exogenous factors on the frequency of antigen-responsive B cells, the ability of the factor to either inhibit or enhance clonal expansion was determined. It was found that the addition of IL-1, WEHI-3 supernatant, or CNF increased the frequency of DNP-responsive B cells suggesting an enhancement of clonal expansion. IL-2, on the other hand, did not alter the frequency of antigen-responsive B cells. The effect of added factors on the kinetics of appearance of phosphorylcholine (PC)-responsive B cells, which are known to be acquired in ontogeny about 2 weeks later than DNP-responsive B cells, was also analyzed. The data indicate that CNF, unlike IL-1, IL-2, and WEHI-3 culture supernatant, results in an earlier appearance of PC-responsive B cells. These results suggest that soluble factors may play a role in the generation of the B cell repertoire.

Comparison of the fetal and adult functional B cell repertoires by analysis of VH gene family expression

The functional B cell repertoire in BALB/c mice was assessed at various stages in ontogeny. This was done by analyzing VH gene family expression using the sensitive technique of in situ hybridization. The B cell repertoire was probed with the mitogen, LPS, and the antigen DNP. DNP was chosen because B cells responsive to this hapten appear very early in ontogeny. The APCs that developed after stimulation with LPS or DNP were analyzed for VH gene expression by in situ hybridization of individual cells using radiolabeled VH gene family probes. The results indicated that VH gene expression in fetal B cells after stimulation was distinct from adult B cells in that there was a biased expression of D proximal families. The results indicated that this bias was associated with developmental age and not a given differentiation stage in the B cell lineage. In addition, stimulation of fetal B cells with DNP resulted in a large increase in expression of member(s) of VH 36-60, suggesting that the early appearance of DNP-responsive B cells is not strictly correlated with preferential rearrangement of D proximal families, VH 7183 and VH Q52. However, the results suggested that a large proportion of pre-B cells that preferentially rearrange D proximal families early in ontogeny become part of the functional developing repertoire.

Heterogeneous responses of B-cell tumours to anti-Ig and anti-idiotypic antibodies

Anti-Ig antibodies can have two opposing effects on B-cell proliferation, resulting either in stimulation or inhibition. We have examined the proliferative response of 30 B-cell tumours to anti-Ig in the presence and absence of B-cell growth factor. Three reaction patterns were observed. In 12 cases a dose-dependent synergism between anti-Ig and B-cell growth factor was present in the induction of proliferation, in ten cases anti-Ig did not induce any response, and in eight cases anti-Ig suppressed the B-cell growth factor (BCGF)-induced proliferation. Similar responses to anti-Ig were found in the absence of BCGF. When these B-cell tumours were typed for expression of Ig isotypes, HLA class II antigens, several B-cell markers, activation markers, complement receptors, Fc receptors, cell size, and cell cycle phase, no correlation could be found with the proliferative response of these tumour B cells to anti-Ig. T cells or T-cell factors were not involved, because T-cell depletion did not change the tumour B-cell proliferative response to incubation with anti-Ig. The observed inhibition of proliferation did not correlate with the expression of Fc receptors, indicating the involvement of suppressor mechanisms other than the cross-linking of Fc receptors with surface immunoglobulins. Tumour B cells, for which monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies (MoAb anti-id) were available, responded to MoAb anti-id in the same way as they did to anti-Ig. In view of the treatment of B-cell malignancies with MoAb anti-id, the question of whether these responses in vitro correlate with in vivo clinical outcome of anti-id therapy is of interest. So far our data show that the proliferative response of B-cell tumours to anti-Ig or MoAb anti-id is heterogeneous and cannot be linked to phenotype, is T cell-independent, and is most likely an intrinsic property of the malignant cell.

Developmentally regulated and strain-specific expression of murine VH gene families

We have devised a simple assay that provides an instantaneous representation of VH family usage in primary and peripheral lymphoid tissues. This assay lacks complex manipulations out of the animal and thus minimizes the risk of in vitro artifacts. We have used this assay to demonstrate a dramatic preference for utilization of the most JH-proximal VH segments in the newborn liver of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Furthermore, we find that VH segments from across the entire VH locus are utilized early in development, but at frequencies directly related to their JH proximity. A major shift away from the position-dependent VH repertoire of the neonate is seen in unprimed or polyclonally-activated adult spleen cells, in which relative utilization of the various VH families is related to family size. We also report consistent strain-specific differences in the expression of certain VH families. Our data indicate that a position-dependent VH repertoire is generated in differentiating pre-B lymphocytes (probably reflecting constraints imposed by the immunoglobulin gene assembly process), and that mechanisms that operate subsequent to rearrangement then randomize this position-dependent repertoire in a strain-specific manner.

Regulatory influences of neonatal multispecific antibodies on the developing B cell repertoire

In these studies we have emphasized the apparent developmental hierarchy of B cell development and assigned a role for the multispecific self idiotype reactive B cells which develop first, in promoting the development of later appearing clones of B cells. These early sets of interconnecting clones of B cells bridge between clones of cells involved in such disparate responses as anti-PC and anti-DEX. Interference with these idiotype directed interactions results in deficiencies in the adult B cell repertoire with respect to these responses. These idiotype directed interactions appear to be bidirectional in that interference with either antigen, Ab1, Ab2, Ab3, and Ab4 during neonatal life all produce striking effects on the adult responses to these antigens. These results strongly suggest that early idiotype directed interactions between B cells are essential for the establishment of the adult B cell repertoire.

Development of the primary antibody repertoire

The ability to generate a diverse immune response depends on the somatic assembly of genes that encode the antigen-binding portions of immunoglobulin molecules. In this article, we discuss the mechanism and control of these genomic rearrangement events and how aspects of this process are involved in generating the primary antibody repertoire.

Early development of Ig-secreting cells in young of germ-free BALB/c mice fed a chemically defined ultrafiltered diet

The influence of antigenic stimulation on the early development of the "spontaneously" occurring ("background") IgM-, IgG-, and IgA-secreting cells has been studied in mice. To evaluate the effect of such exogenous stimulation by an evolving microbial microflora, the young of BALB/c mice that were kept under germ-free conditions and fed a low molecular weight chemically defined synthetic diet (GF-CD) were compared with the young of conventional BALB/c mice fed natural ingredients (CV-NI). The young were first suckling maternal milk and between Days 15 and 18 changed to the same diet as their parents. Background Ig-secreting cells in the spleen were enumerated in the protein A plaque assay. The specificity repertoire of the IgM-secreting cells was determined with plaque assays specific for sheep red blood cells (SRBC) that were haptenized with different concentrations of nitroiodophenyl (NIP), 4-hydroxy-3.5-dinitrophenyl (NNP), and 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl (TNP). The results show that during the first few weeks of life the numbers of background IgM-, IgG-, and IgA-secreting cells in the spleen develop faster in CV-NI mice than in GF-CD mice. At 4 weeks of age equal numbers of IgM- and IgG-secreting cells were found in both groups of mice, but the number of IgA-secreting cells remained reduced in GF-CD mice during the whole period of observation. The frequencies of IgM-secreting cells specific for the differently haptenized SRBC were the same in both groups of mice during the observation period of 10 weeks. This suggests that the ontogenetic appearance of IgM-, IgG-, and IgA-secreting cells in the spleen, and the specificity repertoire of the IgM-secreting cells, as far as was tested in our panel, is independent of exogenous antigenic and/or mitogenic stimulation. However, during neonatal development the rate of development of the background Ig synthesis is enhanced by environmental antigenic stimulation.

Immunization with SV40-transformed cells yields mainly MHC-restricted monoclonal antibodies

Recognition of antigens on cell surfaces only in the context of the MHC-encoded alloantigens of the presenting cell (self + X) has classically been considered the province of T cells. However, evidence from several sources has indicated that B cells and antibodies can exhibit self + X-restricted recognition as well. This report concerns the mAb response to SV40-transformed H-2b fibroblast cell lines. The specificities of the antibodies obtained have been analyzed for binding to a panel of SV40-transformed H-2-syngeneic, H-2-allogeneic, and H-2b mutant fibroblast cell lines, as well as cell lines not bearing cell surface SV40 transformation-associated antigens. A large proportion of primary C57BL/6 (71%) and BALB/c (68%) splenic B cells responding to in vitro stimulation with SV40-transformed H-2b cells recognize cell surface antigens associated with SV40 transformation only when coexpressed with MHC antigens of the immunizing cell, particularly the Kb molecule, on transformed cells. To extensively define the nature of antigen recognition by these antibodies, we have generated and characterized nine hybridoma antibodies specific for SV40-transformed H-2-syngeneic cell lines. Seven of these hybridoma antibodies recognize SV40-associated transformation antigens in the context of H-2b molecules. Six of these are restricted by the Kb molecule and discriminate among a panel of SV40-transformed Kb mutant cell lines, thus confirming the participation of class I MHC-encoded molecules in the recognition by B cells of cell surface antigens.

Preferential expression of variable region heavy chain gene segments by predominant 2,4-dinitrophenyl-specific BALB/c neonatal antibody clonotypes

The B-cell repertoire in neonatal mice contains predominant clonotypes that are reproducibly expressed at particular times after birth. We have isolated and sequenced heavy and light chain cDNA clones from three 2,4-dinitrophenyl-specific neonatal hybridomas. Two of these hybridomas (TF2-36 and TF5-139) express idiotypes (Ids) that predominate during the first days after birth, and the third hybridoma (TF2-76) expresses an Id that predominates during the second week after birth. The heavy (H) chain variable (V) region of the TF2-76 hybridoma protein is encoded by a member of the 7183 VH family, one of eight families of murine VH genes that have been defined by Brodeur and Riblet [Brodeur, P. H. & Riblet, R. (1984) Eur. J. Immunol. 14, 922-930]. Members of this family have been found to undergo a disproportionately high frequency of rearrangement in fetal and neonatal liver pre-B-cells. Because the 7183 VH family is located close to the H chain joining (J) region gene segments, JH, other workers have proposed that VH rearrangement frequency is related to distance from the JH segments. However, the two earlier-appearing predominant clonotypes expressed by TF2-36 and TF5-139 hybridoma proteins utilize a member of the 36-60 VH family, probably VH 1210.7, which is located distal to the JH gene segments on chromosome 12. Since 20-30% of day 3 dinitrophenyl-specific B cells express either the Id(TF2-36) or the Id(TF5-139), the VH 1210.7 gene must be utilized at high frequency early in development. These results indicate that the utilization of rearranged VH segments is strongly influenced by factors other than distance from JH.

Strain-specific silencing of a predominant antidextran clonotype family

The immune response to dextran is characterized by marked phenotypic differences among murine strains. In particular, Igha strains, as opposed to strains of other Igh haplotypes, respond relatively vigorously to dextran B1355 fraction S (DEX), producing predominantly antibodies bearing the lambda light chain, and specific for the alpha(1----3) glucose linkage. We have investigated this disparity in BALB/c (Igha) vs. C.B20 (Ighb) mice at the individual precursor cell level. Consistent with previous findings (7-9, 35, 40, 42, 43), there was a 10-fold higher frequency of lambda-bearing splenic B cells specific for the alpha(1----3) linkage in Igha mice. As with previously studied (25-27) predominant specificities, the origin of this high frequency of lambda-bearing alpha(1----3) DEX-specific B cells appears to be a reflection of a high expression of this specificity in surface Ig (sIg)-negative cells emerging from the bone marrow generative cell pool. Surprisingly, although C.B20 mice (Ighb) have a low frequency of lambda-bearing alpha(1----3) DEX-specific B cells in their mature primary splenic population, the frequency of precursor cells of this clonotype in their sIg- bone marrow cell population is equivalent to that of BALB/c sIg- cells. These cells could only be stimulated in allotype allogeneic (Igha), as opposed to allotype syngeneic (Ighb), carrier-primed irradiated recipients. This finding was confirmed by the finding that a high proportion of antidextran hybridoma cell lines derived from C.B20 bone marrow cells produced lambda-bearing alpha(1----3) DEX-specific antibodies that were IdX+. These findings have led us to conclude that the well-established phenotypic difference between Igha and Ighb mice with respect to the expression of lambda-bearing alpha(1----3) DEX-specific antibody responses is not, as previously assumed, the result of an inability of Ighb mice to generate B cells of this clonotype, but rather, is the product of environmental, possibly antiidiotypic, silencing of cells of this clonotype as they mature in Ighb mice.

Cellular basis for neonatally induced T-suppressor activity. Primary B cell maturation is blocked by suppressor-helper interactions restricted by loci on chromosome 12

The cellular mechanism and genetic restriction of neonatally induced HA-specific suppressor T (Ts) cells have been examined. The in vivo effect of these Ts cells on antibody production, primary B cell proliferation, B cell surface marker changes, and helper T (Th) cell priming during primary responses to HA have been determined. The results indicate that, although antigen-induced B cell proliferative responses and surface marker changes occur in the presence of Ts cells, differentiation to Ig secretion, and long-lived memory B cell production are prevented. Further, antigen-specific Th cell priming is completely ablated by Ts cells, suggesting that Ts act by preventing the delivery of Th signals required for both the later stages of primary B cell maturation, and the formation of memory B cell populations. Finally, in vivo cell mixing experiments using congenic mice indicate that this Ts-Th interaction is restricted by loci on mouse chromosome 12.

Developmentally controlled expression of immunoglobulin VH genes

Although antibody diversity arises mainly from apparently random combinatorial and somatic mutational mechanisms acting upon a limited number of germline antibody genes, the antibody repertoire develops in an ordered fashion during mammalian ontogeny. A series of early pre-B and B-lymphocyte cell lines were examined to determine whether an ordered rearrangement of gene families of the variable region of immunoglobulin heavy chains (VH) may be the basis for the programmed development of the antibody response. The results indicated that the VH repertoire of fetal B-lineage cells is largely restricted to the VH 7183 gene family and that subsequent recruitment of additional VH gene families occurs during neonatal development. These results have important implications in understanding the ontogeny of immune function.