VK IIIb expression is altered in acquired and drug-induced hypogammaglobulinaemia.

The Kappa chain variable region subgroup restriction of immunoglobulin (Ig) from patients with acquired hypogammaglobulinaemia, agammaglobulinaemia and drug-induced immunosuppression has been studied. The percent of K chain-containing Ig which expresses the VK IIIb variable region sub-subgroup was determined with a previously characterized murine monoclonal anti-VK IIIb antibody. The VK IIIb sub-subgroup percent was increased in sera from patients with idiopathic hypogammaglobulinaemia, as well as patients who became hypogammaglobulinaemic following immunosuppression. The implications of the results to the regulation of the human immune and autoimmune response are discussed.