Presentation of anti-idiotypic antibody is sensitive to ionizing radiation

We have been investigating the generation of specific immune responses using monoclonal anti-idiotypic Abs (Ab2) as surrogate tumor Ag. We have prepared a series of idiotypic mAbs (Ab1) from CBH/cbi rats bearing the syngeneic sarcoma HSN and have used these Ab1 to generate autologous Ab2. By using the autologous Ab2 as Ag, we have isolated T cell lines from CBH/cbi rats that proliferate specifically in the presence of the Ab2, with spleen cells as APC. Specific proliferation of the T cells was prevented if the spleen cells used for presentation were irradiated with conventional doses of x-rays (1000 rad) just before use. Titration of the radiation response showed that the capacity of the spleen cells to present Ag decreased exponentially with x-ray doses of up to 100 rad, at which dose presentation was virtually abolished. The same irradiated spleen cells were fully competent to present OVA to CBH/cbi-derived rat T cell lines specific for this Ag. Preincubating the APC with Ag before irradiation abrogated the effect of x-irradiation on the presentation of Ab2. We conclude that, in this rat system, the presentation of autologous Ab2 is highly sensitive to the effects of low doses of x-rays. The clinical significance of these findings is discussed.