Research


Related Information

Group Resources

  • JoinSolver® is a web-based software program for human immunoglobulin CDR3 analysis.

Repertoire Analysis Group

Paul Plotz, M.D.
Group Leader, Repertoire Analysis Group
Autoimmunity Branch (AB)
Phone: (301) 594-0596
Fax: (301) 402-2209
E-mail: plotzp@mail.nih.gov

Photo of partial image from a 96 well ABI 377 sequencing gel and electropherogram of a corresponding nucleotide sequence.

 

Research Overview

The Repertoire Analysis Group uses the novel technique of single cell PCR amplification and sequencing to probe molecular and cellular influences that shape the human immunoglobin repertoire, including V(D)J recombination, heavy and light chain pairing, somatic hyper-mutation, receptor editing and positive and negative selection. The large database of sequences obtained from normal individuals has provided a means to discern abnormalities in the immunoglobin repertoire in persons with autoimmune disease. Repertoire analysis in patients with known genetic abnormalities such as, x-linked hyperIgM syndrome (CD154), xeroderma pigmentosum, (nucleotide excision repair), hyperhydrotic ectodermal dysplasia with immune deficiency (NEMO, IKK-g) has provided insight into signaling pathways and enzymatic machinery involved in generation of the immunoglobin repertoire. Analysis of immunoglobin genes expressed by individual B cells, whose stage of differentiation is precisely defined by multiparameter flow cytometry, has provided additional insight into the influences governing the B Cell repertoire.


Selected Publications

Sims GP, Ettinger R, Shirota Y, Yarboro CH, Illei G, Lipsky PE. Identification and characterization of circulating human transitional B cells. Blood. 2005; DOI 10.1182/blood-2004-11-4284. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed Icon

*Souto-Carneiro MM, *Longo NS, *Russ DE, Sun HW, Lipsky PE. Characterization of the Human Ig Heavy Chain Antigen Binding Complementarity Determining Region 3 Using a Newly Developed Software Algorithm, JOINSOLVER. J Immunol. 2004; 172(11): 6790-6802. *First authorship was shared among these contributors. PubMed Icon

Yavuz AS, Monson NL, Yavuz S, Grammer AC, Longo NS, Girschick HJ, Lipsky PE. Different patterns of Bcl-6 and p53 gene mutations in tonsillar B cells indicate separate mutational mechanisms. Mol Immunol. 2002; 39(7-8): 485-493. PubMed Icon

Fritsch R, Eselbock D, Skriner K, Jahn-Schmid B, Scheinecker C, Bohle B, Tohidast-Akrad M, Hayer S, Neumuller J, Pinol-Roma S, Smolen JS, Steiner G. Characterization of autoreactive T cells to the autoantigens heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2 (RA33) and filaggrin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. J Immunol. 2002; 169(2):1068-76. PubMed Icon

Longo NS, Lipsky PE. Somatic hypermutation in human B cell subsets. Springer Semin Immunopathol. 2001 Dec; 23(4):367-85. PubMed Icon

See complete list of publications

 

Updated December 17, 2007