Variable regions of antibodies to synthetic polypeptides--III. Antibodies arising in response to administration of anti-idiotope.
Antibodies elicited by the synthetic polypeptide antigen (T,G)-A-L are directed against two distinct epitopes. The majority of antibodies bind to a GT containing epitope and bear an idiotope defined by monoclonal antibodies I7 and I9. In this study, we have examined the effect of in vivo administration of the I7 and I9 antibodies to mice. Administration of anti-idiotope elicits anti-(T,G)-A-L antibodies in all strains of mice tested, including genetic non-responders to (T,G)-A-L. These antibodies bind to GT and express the idiotope. Additionally, idiotope expressing antibodies that fail to bind to antigen are also produced. Monoclonal anti-(anti-idiotope) antibodies were made. One antibody bound to (T,G)-A-L, the other did not. Sequence analysis was performed and the V-regions of (T,G)-A-L binding antibodies were compared to those of the antibody that failed to bind antigen. Both sets of antibodies are derived from the same germline V-genes as the anti-(T,G)-A-L antibodies. These results have implications for understanding the nature of network regulation of the immune system and for those attempting idiotypic vaccination.