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Characterization of Antibodies Directed against the Immunoglobulin Light κ Chain Variable Chain Region (VK) of Hepatitis C Virus‐Related Type‐II Mixed Cryoglobulinemia and B‐Cell Proliferations
Author(s) -
De Re Valli,
Simula Maria Paola,
Pavan Alessandro,
Garziera Marica,
Marin Dolores,
Dolcetti Riccardo,
De Vita Salvatore,
Sansonno Domenico,
Geremia Silvano,
Toffoli Giuseppe
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04677.x
Subject(s) - idiotype , virology , antibody , immunoglobulin light chain , rheumatoid factor , b cell , epitope , hepatitis c virus , cryoglobulinemia , immunology , biology , monoclonal antibody , immunoglobulin idiotypes , breakpoint cluster region , lymphoproliferative disorders , immunoglobulin heavy chain , virus , microbiology and biotechnology , lymphoma , genetics , gene
Autoimmune type‐II cryoglobulinemia (II‐MC) is sustained by hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and B‐cell (oligo)clones. This is the reason why the disease may be considered an “indolent B‐cell lymphoma (NHL).” B clones show a restricted use of immunoglobulin variable genes (BCR), in particular in the use of the variable κ (VK)3–20/15 light chain, and show a homology between their BCR functional regions and those of autoimmune rheumatoid factors. We underlined the BCR unique repertoire with frequent rheumatoid factor activity also observed in other autoimmune disorders associated with NHL. The immunoglobulin idiotype is a clonal B‐cell marker and an ideal target for immunotherapy. Five monoclonal antibodies were produced in our laboratory toward the VK3–20 of a subject with HCV infection and a II‐MC‐associated NHL. Epitope determination was performed using the epitope excision approach. Monoclonal antibody reactivity was tested in vitro in ELISA, Western blot, and cytofluorimetry. Data confirmed that a panel of antibodies, reactive against shared idiotypes, can be produced from patients with HCV‐associated B‐cell lymphoproliferative diseases, thus obviating the need to produce an anti‐idiotype antibody for each patient.