Somatic mutation of the T15 heavy chain gives rise to an antibody with autoantibody specificity

The S107 IgA κ-chain myeloma cell line makes an antiphosphocholine antibody of the T15 idiotype. A somatic mutant of this line, U4, makes an immunoglobulin with a single amino acid substitution of an alanine for a glutamic acid at residue 35. This single amino acid change results in a loss of phosphocholine binding activity. However, the U4 immunoglobulin has acquired reactivity with a variety of phosphorylated macromolecules, including double-stranded DNA, protamine, and cardiolipin. Thus, a single amino acid change in the T15 heavy chain can transform an antibacterial antibody into an antibody that resembles the autoantibodies seen in mice and man with autoimmune disease.