Complete amino acid sequence of the variable regions of two highly related heavy and light chains of human IgG (SFL) and IgM (RIV) rheumatoid factors.

The complete amino acid structure of the variable regions of two monoclonal human rheumatoid factors (RF), antibodies that bind to the Fc portion of IgG, is presented. Although these RFs are of different isotypes, IgG (SFL) and IgM (RIV), they are highly related. They probably derive from the same KIII light chain variable region used, but the heavy chains are derived from genes of the VHIII family that are probably evolutionarily related. An analysis of the level of somatic mutation reveals that antigen selection was probably involved in the maturation of these clones. These antibodies, although highly related, are not merely IgM to IgG switch variants which occurred independently in different individuals. Little is currently known about the structure of IgG RFs and this study indicates that the level of somatic mutation of SFL is similar to other autoantibodies or antiviral antibodies of the IgG isotype.