title: Unregulated production of virus and/or sperm specific anti-idiotypic antibodies as a cause of AIDS.
abstract: A network of idiotypic and anti-idiotypic antibodies is often suggested as the basis for cellular interactions that maintain a steady-state immunological equilibrium. This hypothesis proposes that repeated exposure to certain external antigens--ie, both viral and sperm--stimulates an unregulated production of a uniquely potent immunomodulating idiotypic antibody(ies). In a genetically predisposed individual, this particular antibody(ies), which is also an autoantibody(ies), results in a cellular immune deficiency. This disruption in the immune system permits opportunistic infection and thus the acquired immune deficiency syndrome. This hypothesis, which is readily testable and which does not involve a primary pathogen, can explain both the active induction of this disease in, as well as its passive transfer to, all at-risk populations.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes