The idiotype network in autoimmune processes

At the turning point of the mid-80s much experimental work stands as evidence that Jerne's original network hypothesis may be correct. However, much of the available information stems from studies on regulation of idiotypes on antibodies/lymphocytes which recognize exogenous or synthetic antigens. By comparison, much less is known about regulation of autoimmunity through the idiotype of antibodies or receptors directed against self components. A distinction between antigens of external and internal origin is probably not just a problem of semantics; self antigens may be regulated in a slightly different mode than are their non-self counterparts. Here Maurizio Zanetti discusses the need to analyse the immune response to self antigens independently.