title: Idiotypic cross-reactivity between antibodies of different specificities.
abstract: Cross-idiotypic specificity has been demonstrated between antibody populations of different specificities using antibodies directed toward human sickle cell hemoglobin (HbS). A site-specific antibody directed toward the beta6-position of HbS, anti-Val, was used to elicit an anti-idiotypic response in rabbits. Using this anti-idiotypic serum, idiotypic cross-reactivity was demonstrated between antibody populations that bind to human adult hemoglobin (HbA). It was demonstrated that in the case of the goat antibodies, these idiotypically cross-reacting antibodies are directed towards the beta6-position of the hemoglobin molecule. However, they differ in their specificity, binding to this site on HbA, whereas anti-Val binds only to HbS. The sheep antibody populations directed toward HbS differ qualitatively from those of the goat. Using rabbit anti-idiotypic serum specific for sheep anti-Val, cross-reactivity could be demonstrated with antibodies directed toward the alpha-chain of the hemoglobin molecule, as well as the beta-chain. There was also a low level of cross-reactivity with antibodies from a goat immunized with HbA.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D003429:Cross Reactions; D000939:Epitopes; D006041:Goats; D006441:Hemoglobin A / Q000276:immunology*; D006451:Hemoglobin, Sickle / Q000276:immunology*; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000032:analysis*; D012756:Sheep; D013045:Species Specificity; D014633:Valine / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; D006451:Hemoglobin, Sickle; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D006441:Hemoglobin A; D014633:Valine