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Simultaneous complementary idiotypic responses: absence of reciprocal regulation
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|July 1, 1978
Summary
Simultaneous immunization with complementary antibodies, such as anti-phosphorylcholine (Pc) and anti-HOPC-8 (H8), prevents reciprocal immune regulation in mice. This lack of regulation, observed in antibody responses, may have implications for other antigen-antibody interactions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Autoimmunity
Background:
- Complementary antibodies possess interacting binding sites.
- Previous studies suggest reciprocal regulation between antibodies targeting specific antigens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immune response and regulation in mice immunized with complementary antibodies.
- To determine if simultaneous immunization with phosphorylcholine (Pc) and HOPC-8 (H8) affects antibody regulation.
Main Methods:
- Induction of complementary antibodies in A/He mice via immunization with Pc-KLH or H8.
- Monitoring antibody responses using plaque-forming cell assays and serum antibody level measurements.
- Assessing idiotype changes and reciprocal regulation through complementary antibody inhibition assays.
Main Results:
- Prior immunization with H8 suppressed Pc immunization, and vice versa, but simultaneous immunization abolished this reciprocal suppression.
- Plaque-forming cell responses were not diminished during simultaneous immunization.
- Absence of regulation was not due to changes in idiotype expression; sera contained complexes of complementary antibodies.
Conclusions:
- Simultaneous induction of complementary antibody responses in mice prevents expected reciprocal immune regulation.
- The formation of antibody complexes appears to be a consequence, not a cause, of the lack of regulation.
- Such simultaneous responses might occur naturally, potentially leading to pathological changes.