Characterization of the human IgG antibody VL repertoire to Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide.

The human antibody response to the capsular polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a good model for examining human V region repertoires. While the VL repertoire of human antibodies to Hib polysaccharide is relatively simple and dominated by the product of a germline V kappa II gene named A2, at least five other VL genes can be expressed by some individuals. These include at least two V kappa I products and at least one V kappa III, one V kappa IV, and one V lambda product. The epitope recognized by a monoclonal anti-idiotype antibody is on the A2 V kappa II product.