Genetically Programmed Temporal Ordered Activation of Neonatal B-Cell Clones

Abstract

Several molecular factors contribute to the restricted neonatal repertoire. Among them, the most important are position-dependent usage of a few V gene families, shorter length of CDR3, lack of region diversity, and low frequency of somatic mutation. The ordered emergence of B-cell clones after birth is an additional, important factor. This may be because of the fact that some B-cell clones appear or mature at different rates rather than they do in concert. Studies using inbred animal strains demonstrated that the temporal pattern of B-cell clone emergence is similar in all individuals, indicating that a heritable genetic program determines the development of clones producing antibodies with various antigen specificities.