Development and distribution of B lineage cells in the domestic cat: analysis with monoclonal antibodies to cat mu-, gamma-, kappa-, and lambda-chains and heterologous anti-alpha antibodies.

To trace the development and distribution of B lineage cells in the domestic cat (Felis catus), we have produced monoclonal antibodies against mu-, gamma-, kappa-, and lambda-chains of feline immunoglobulins (Ig). Goat antibodies against human mu-, alpha-, and lambda-chains, which are reactive with shared determinants on their feline counterparts, were used in conjunction with the panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies. Cytoplasmic mu+ pre-B cells and surface IgM+ B lymphocytes were observed in 42 day fetal liver in which pre-B cells were more abundant than IgM+ B cells. Pre-B cells also were found in bone marrow in young cats, and continued to be generated in the marrow throughout life. In the spleen, adult levels of B cells were attained by 12 wk of age, at which time the frequencies of surface IgM+, IgG+, and lambda+ cells were 49, 3, and 40%, respectively. The distributions of Ig isotypes also were determined among plasma cells as a function of age and tissue localization. IgM plasma cells were predominant in the bone marrow of 1-wk-old cats, whereas IgG plasma cells were the prevalent isotype in adult bone marrow. In the mesenteric lymph nodes of adult animals, the frequency distributions of IgM, IgG, and IgA plasma cells were similar to the frequency distributions of IgM, IgG, and IgA isotypes among bone marrow plasma cells. IgA+ plasma cells predominated in the intestinal lamina propria, in which IgG+ and IgM+ plasma cells were relatively infrequent. In the tissues of both young and adult animals, the ratio of lambda:kappa expression was approximately 3:1. We conclude that the pattern of B cell development in the cat resembles that found in other mammals, except that the kappa to lambda ratio is reversed.