Hapten-specific augmentation of the anti-idiotype antibody response to hapten-myeloma protein conjugates in mice.

Abstract

AbstractBALB/c and CBA mice produce little or no anti‐idiotype antibody upon immunization with IgG (γ2a) myeloma proteins derived from BALB/c mice. Similarly, DNP (2,4‐dinitrophenyl) conjugates of such proteins are poorly immunogenic in these mice and give rise to little anti‐DNP or anti‐idiotype antibody. Preimmunization of such mice with a DNP‐protein, such as DNP‐OVA (ovalbumin), prepares these animals for substantial anti‐idiotype responses to DNP conjugates of the BALB/c γ2a myeloma protein LPC‐1. This may be defined as a hapten‐specific helper effect.However, transfer of lymphoid cells from DNP‐OVA primed mice into irradiated syngeneic hosts does not prepare the recipients for an anti‐idiotype response and, thus, the effect does not appear to be mediated by DNP‐specific helper cells. By contrast, the transfer of serum from DNP‐OVA primed mice into normal recipients or of immune serum together with normal cells into irradiated hosts prepares them for anti‐idiotype responses to DNP‐LPC‐1. The active component of the immune serum appears to be an anti‐DNP antibody, as it can be removed by passing the serum over agarose columns to which either a DNP‐protein or an anti‐mouse‐κ antibody has been linked. The augmenting antibody appears not to function by inhibition of antigenic competition, as both anti‐DNP and anti‐idiotype antibody responses are increased by infusing such antibody.