Regulation of immune response by anti-receptor antibody.
A new function of antibodies in the regulation of immune responses is proposed. Antibodies have specific variable sequence determinants which are detected by anti-idiotypic antisera. Anti-idiotypic antibodies can suppress the production of the complementary idiotypic  antibody and are, therefore, specific anti-receptor antibodies. Experiments in inbred mice have shown that mutual and reciprocal functional interactions of idiotype and anti-idiotype can occur. These findings give evidence for regulatory mechanisms in the expressions of immune clones by complementary idiotypes.
D000818:Animals; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D000941:Antigens; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D001666:Binding Sites, Antibody; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D051379:Mice; D010767:Phosphorylcholine / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000941:Antigens; D010767:Phosphorylcholine