Murine antibody B1-8 variable fragment (B1-8 Fv) (B1-8 Fv)

The murine antibody B1-8 Fv fragment is a protein complex consisting of the variable heavy (VH) and variable light (VL) domains of the B1-8 monoclonal antibody, originally derived from C57BL/6 mice (Reth et al., 1978, Eur J Immunol). This antibody is highly specific for the synthetic hapten (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl, commonly referred to as NP (Bothwell et al., 1981, Cell). In the field of immunology, the B1-8 system is a cornerstone model used to investigate B-cell biology, including lineage commitment, clonal expansion, and the molecular basis of affinity maturation through somatic hypermutation (Sonoda et al., 1997, Immunity). Researchers often employ transgenic mouse models, such as the B1-8i strain, which carry the rearranged B1-8 VH gene to ensure a high frequency of NP-specific B cells. This allows for the precise tracking of immune responses and the evaluation of how various factors influence antibody diversity and selection. Because it is a research reagent rather than a physiological molecule involved in human disease pathways, it is not considered a target for therapeutic intervention. Its primary utility is as a standardized tool for fundamental immunological research rather than a site for drug action. Structural studies of the B1-8 Fv fragment have provided insights into the molecular interactions between antibodies and small molecule haptens (PDB: 1BBD).

Other names

B1-8 variable fragmentAnti-NP antibody B1-8B1-8 VH/VLAnti-4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenylacetyl antibody B1-8

Specific binding to the (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl (NP) hapten.