Induction of specific transplantation immune reactions using anti-idiotypic antibodies.

Abstract

B [bone marrow-derived] and T [thymus-derived] lymphocytes with reactivity against major histocompatibility antigens express this immune potential via a display on the outer surface of antigen-specific, idiotypic receptors. The experiments reported here show that anti-idiotypic antibodies directed against such receptors may serve as specific triggering agents of the [rat or mouse] idiotype-positive lymphocytes in the physical absence of foreign histocompatibility antigens. This was shown in vitro using normal or immune spleen T cells where anti-idiotypic antibodies would lead to the selective proliferation and development of antigen-specific cytolytic T cells as determined by short-time 51Cr release assays. Purified anti-idiotypic antibodies in adjuvant administered in vivo to normal syngeneic animals lead to production of high titers of specific alloantibodies. The present experiments were in most cases carried out using auto-anti-idiotypic antibodies as triggering agents. Idiotype-anti-idiotype reactions may be normal parts of conventional immune processes with stimulatory or inhibitory consequences, depending upon the prevailing conditions.