Characterization of an epibody. An antiidiotype that reacts with both the idiotype of rheumatoid factors (RF) and the antigen recognized by RF.

Abstract

Recently, an antiidiotype to human monoclonal IgM anti-IgG autoantibodies (rheumatoid factors) was found to react also with human IgG. This peculiar antiidiotype was called an 'epibody'. We describe the induction of a similar epibody by immunization with a synthetic peptide (corresponding to one hypervariable region of the IgM-RF Glo). The results confirm the existence of epibodies, and provide the possible molecular basis of the epibody phenomenon.