The antibody response to alpha 1 leads to 3
dextran (DEX) in BALB/c mice consists of a family of closely related yet highly heterogeneous molecules. Although these
antibodies have been previously characterized both idiotypically and structurally, detailed analysis of responding clones has not been possible using conventional
anti-idiotype antibodies. Monoclonal syngeneic and allogeneic
anti-idiotype antibodies (
MAIDs) specific for anti-DEX
antibodies were used in this study to dissect the serum antibody response to DEX in BALB/c mice. The constructed
MAIDs showed considerable heterogeneity by isoelectric focusing and by their binding characteristics to a series of DEX specific myeloma and hybridoma
proteins. The predominant heavy chain isotype of these
MAIDs was gamma 1. These
antibodies were used to identify individual idiotypic structures (IdI) on J558, or M104E as well as cross-reactive determinants common to both (IdX). Although both IdX and IdI
MAIDs were obtained, IdI specific
antibodies were obtained more frequently. BALB/c mice immunized with DEX produced
antibodies expressing both IdI but in highly variable amounts. A large percentage of, but not all DEX specific antibody, could be accounted for by IdX bearing
antibodies. Suppression of adult and neonatal mice by IdI specific
MAIDs was effective with precise elimination of only those clones expressing IdI determinants leaving the total lambda bearing anti-DEX response intact. Suppression of adults and neonates by an IdX specific MAID resulted in a temporary and partial suppression of the total lambda bearing anti-DEX response along with total suppression of the IdX portion of the response. Unlike other systems these
monoclonal antibodies produce only suppression, and under a variety of conditions enhancement of anti-DEX responses has not been observed.