An example of major histocompatibility complex‐linked control of idiotypic interactions

Abstract

Normal euthymic mice, injected i.v. with low doses of syngeneic monoclonal antibodies carrying “recurrent” idiotypes, develop a specific increase in numbers of splenic IgM plaque‐forming cells that are paratopically and idiotypically similar to the injected antibody. We have now studied the responsiveness to a C57BL/6 anti‐dextran α(1 → 6) and BALB/c anti‐TNP (trinitrophenyl) monoclonal antibodies in a variety of strains. It was found that such responses are controlled by two linkage groups, namely major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and Ig‐1.