Anti-idiotypes and their application under autoimmune, neoplastic, and infectious conditions

Idiotypes and anti-idiotypes are becoming widely used in various experimental applications in multiple fields of research. Administration of anti-idiotypes has been attempted in order to manipulate immune reactions affecting autoimmune, neoplastic, and infectious processes. Immunization with anti-idiotypes and idiotypes may change the autoantibody expression in autoimmune diseases. In certain experimental models administration of anti-idiotypes and idiotypes may even propagate the induction of autoimmune-like disorders. Internal image bearing anti-idiotypes may provide an effective tool in the combat of neoplastic and infectious diseases. Such anti-idiotypes may resemble the structure of neoplastic cell antigen or mimic the composition of a contagious viral antigen. This review will deal in detail with the various aspects of idiotype and anti-idiotype immunomanipulation.