Abstract
The idiotypic network theory (N. K. Jerne, Ann. Immunol. 125, 373–389, 1974) predicts that any antibody that can be made by an individual would have its preexisting specific complementary B cells in its germline repertoire. We transplanted syngeneic BALB/c mice with live hybridoma cells and demonstrated the simultaneous presence of interacting idiotypic and anti-idiotypic B cells in an individual animal by immuno-cytoadherence assays. Furthermore, we demonstrate that interacting B cells displaying idiotypic and anti-idiotypic antibodies are subjected to lysis by complement. It is therefore tempting to speculate that this complement-sensitive interaction between idiotypic and complementary anti-idiotypic B cells in vivo may provide a mechanism for the regulation of B cell populations.
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