Anti-idiotypic antibody as a probe for ANF receptor

Generation of anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Id) is a rapid and new approach to produce anti-receptor antibodies without isolation of the receptor. This report describes the production of polyclonal anti-ANF anti-Id antibodies. These antibodies could inhibit the binding of [125I]-ANF to its receptor on aortic smooth muscle cells. Immunoblot analysis of detergent Chaps-solubilized adrenal gland membranes indicated that these anti-Id antibodies could recognize an Mr 130,000 band under nonreducing condition and an Mr 70,000 band under reducing condition. In addition, these antibodies could slightly increase the production of cyclic GMP in aortic smooth muscle cells.