Analysis of the expression and secretion of isotypes of sheep B cell immunoglobulins with a panel of isotype-specific monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies to sheep light chain, IgM and IgG were produced and used to assess total immunoglobulin (Ig) synthesis by sheep B cells in culture and antibodies to specific antigens. By using these antibodies in a dual fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis of sheep efferent lymph B lymphocytes the percentage change in surface Ig isotype of B lymphoblasts from IgM to IgG after the antigenic stimulation of the local lymph node was measured. An extension of this analysis to paired blood and afferent or efferent lymph B cells made it possible to investigate the recirculation characteristics of B cells expressing different Ig isotypes.