Antibody networks and imaging: Elicatation of anti-fluorescein antibodies in response to the metatypic state of fluorescein-specific monoclonal antibodies

Abstract

Studies are described regarding generation of anti-hapten antibodies starting with a monoclonal Ig immunogen in the ligand-induced conformation or metalypic state. Liganded monoclonal Ab1 antibodies represent the unique feature of the study since previous reports investigating internal imaging in the original Idiotype Network Hypothesis [Jerne, 1974 ( Ann. Immun. 125C, 373–389)] were based on the non-liganded or idiotypic state [as reviewed in: Rodkey, 1980 ( Microbiol. Rev. 44, 631–659); Kohler et al., 1979 (In: Methods in Enzymology: Antibodies, Antigens and Molecular Mimicry, pp. 3–35); Greenspan and Bona, 1993 ( FASEB J. 7, 437–444)]. Affinity-labeled liganded murine monoclonal anti-fluorescein antibodies served as immunogens administered both in the syngenic and xenogenic modes to determine if the metatypic state elicited anti-hapten antibodies through imaging-like mechanisms. Polyclonal and monoclonal anti-Ab1 reagents in various hosts were assayed for anti-fluorescein and/or anti-metatype specificity. Significant anti-fluorescein responses were measured indicating that the metatypic state directly or indirectly stimulates an anti-hapten antibody population.