Variable‐Region Gene Analysis of B‐Cell Subsets Derived from a 4‐Year‐Old Child

Most of the previous studies on the B-cell repertoire of normal persons concentrated on the analysis of only a single B-cell subpopulation.We sought to characterize B-cell subsets differing in terms of cellular maturation derived from a single person at the level of rearranged V genes.The analysis comprised tonsillar "naive" IgMtIgD+ B cells and germinal center (GCC) B cells and IgG-(memory) as well as IgM-expressing peripheral blood (PB) B cells derived from a 4-year-old child.' PB B cells were separated into conventional CD5-and CD5+ B cells.Analyzed were rearranged V-region genes of the V,4 gene family that has recently been extensively characterized.