A comparison of the antibody and T cell response elicited by internal image and noninternal image anti-idiotypes

We have previously reported that several monoclonal anti-idiotypes were generated against a syngeneic monoclonal antibody designated H3F5 (idiotype) which recognizes the protective "a"-determinant on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). In the present study, we compared the humoral and cellular response to HBsAg by immunizing Balb/C mice with four of these anti-Ids. We observed that two internal image and one noninternal image anti-Ids can act as surrogates for HBsAg. Following immunization with these anti-Ids, high levels of anti-HBs antibodies were elicited. Three of the anti-Ids could also prime T cell for an HBsAg-specific proliferative response, the two internal image anti-Ids elicited much stronger T cell responses to HBsAg than the non-internal image anti-Id. One noninternal image anti-Id did not generate any anti-HBs antibody response and could not elicit an HBsAg-specific T cell proliferative response. All four anti-Ids could elicit immunoglobulin which was H3F5-idiotype positive. This study further supports the concept that some monoclonal anti-Ids can mimic at both the B and T cell level the properties of a nominal antigenic epitope.