VH gene repertoire

Abstract

In this review, we have assembled some results on VH gene usage by mouse and human. We conclude that there is an early bias in usage of certain VH genes in both mouse and human. This biased usage has a strain dependent component as evidenced by its continued presence in the adult repertoire of some mouse strains, notably BALB/c, and not in others. The reason for the fetal bias is uncertain. However, the finding that the VH gene segments used in the human fetal repertoire are similar in sequence but not in chromosomal position to those expressed in the mouse fetal-repertoire leads us to suggest that the bias is not due to chromosomal location but rather may be reflecting the functioning of these gene products early in ontogeny.