Ig isotype switching in B lymphocytes. A method for estimating isotype switch frequency in cloned B cell lymphomas

International Immunology
A C WhitmoreG Haughton

Abstract

We have developed a method for enumerating the frequency of Ig isotype switching in clones of B cells. The method adapts Poisson statistics to analyze the distribution of amounts of switched isotype produced by multiple subclones of cells and thus enables one to estimate the probability that a single cell will switch isotype in one cell generation. We have applied this method to determine the spontaneous switch frequency of two Ly-1+ B cell lymphomas of B10-H-2aH-4bp/Wts mice. Both CH12.LX and CH27.LX switch from IgM to IgA at very high frequencies (1 - 5 x 10(-3) switch events per cell division) and from IgM to IgG at low but detectable frequencies (10(-4) - 10(-5) switch events per cell division). Cloned IgG variants of CH12.LX switch to IgA at the same frequency as the IgM-producing cells. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide has a strong inhibitory effect on isotype switching by CH12.LX. Possible explanations for the observed preference for switching to IgA are discussed.

Citations

Apr 12, 1994·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·G SpiraM D Scharff
Apr 19, 2000·The Journal of Experimental Medicine·A ShanmugamA L Kenter
Jan 1, 1991·Leukemia & Lymphoma·G Haughton, L W Arnold
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