Synthesis of λ1, λ2, and λ3 light chains by mouse spleen B cells

To determine whether the infrequency of immunoglobulins with λ3 light chains is due to a corresponding scarcity of λ3 B cells, the production of the various λ chain subtypes (λ 1, λ2, and λ3) by normal spleen cells was compared. The results showed that λ1, λ2, and λ3 chains are produced in a ratio of about 1.0 :0.7 : 0.3, respectively. The argument is made that λ1, λ2, and λ3 B cells exist in the same ratio. Results obtained with neonatal and nude mouse spleen cells suggest that these small differences are not due to stimulatory effects of environmental antigens or regulatory T cells. The much greater disparity in the abundance of λ subtypes in various antibody responses and serum Ig suggests that λ1 B cells may be more likely than λ2 or λ3 B cells to differentiate into antibody-secreting plasma cells.