Light chain heterogeneity of type lambda anti-streptococcal group A-variant polysaccharide antibodies in rabbits.

BASILEA rabbits lack the expression of chi-polypeptide chains and compensate for this lack with expression of lambda polypeptide light chains. These rabbits were immunized with streptococcal group A-variant vaccines. The heterogeneity of the lambda polypeptide chains of specific antibodies was analyzed and compared with that of chi light chains. No significant difference was found by SDS-PAGE and IEF in the number of light chain bands of high affinity antibody expressed. This suggests that in the rabbit the size of the variable region repertoire is similar for lambda and chi light chains.