Presence of circulating anti-idiotype-bearing cells after booster immunization with tetanus toxoid (TT) and inhibition of anti-TT antibody synthesis by auto-anti-idiotypic antibody.
We have previously documented the appearance of auto-anti-idiotypic (anti-Id) antibody in the serum of normal subjects after booster immunization with tetanus toxoid (TT) antigen. In the present study circulating auto-anti-Id-bearing cells and the regulatory role of auto-anti-Id antibody on anti-TT antibody synthesis were examined. Two adult volunteers were boosted with TT antigen, and IgG (Fab')2 anti-TT was prepared from plasma obtained 7 and 10 days after boosting. Auto-anti-Id antibody directed against autologous IgG (Fab')2 anti-TT became detectable in the serum starting 2 wk and up to 4 mo after booster immunization with TT. Circulating cells capable of specifically binding fluorescein-conjugated autologous IgG (Fab')2 anti-TT were identified starting 3 wk after immunization and throughout the 3- to 4-mo study period. Auto-anti-Id-bearing cells were predominantly B cells and secreted auto-anti-Id antibody after stimulation with pokeweed mitogen (PWM) in vitro. When added to cultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) obtained 10 days after immunization, serum auto-anti-Id antibody inhibited the PWM-induced synthesis of IgG anti-TT. This inhibition was idiotype specific and affected predominantly the synthesis of anti-TT idiotypes recognized by the auto-anti-Id antibody. Auto-anti-Id antibody did not affect the synthesis of IgG anti-TT by PBL that co-circulated with the auto-anti-Id antibody. These results suggest that auto-anti-Id antibodies play a role in the regulation of the normal human immune response.
D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000276:immunology*; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid