Restriction of Human Immune Antibodies to Heavy‐Chain Variable Subgroups

Abstract

Human immune antibodies such as anti-Rh and anti-Kell antibodies were tested in hemagglutination and hemagglutination inhibition experiments for VH [H chain variable region] subgroup composition. A striking VH subgroup restriction was found in several of these groups of antibodies. In the majority of cases, there was a restriction to 1 Vh subgroup for a single antibody specificity in a given individual. In some cases there was also an overall restriction to 1 subgroup for antibodies with the same antibody specificity. This was particularly pronounced for anti-D antibodies, which were primarily restricted to VHII, and for the anti-Kell, which was particularly related to VHIII. Subgroup-specific antigens for all the main VH subgroups were blocked on combination of the antibody molecule with antigen. No relation was found between VH restriction and restriction to IgG [immunoglobulin G] subclass or genetic markers or .kappa. and .lambda. L-chain type.