A "network antigen" for human CD4. A murine monoclonal anti-idiotype to Leu-3a induces an anti-CD4 response in naive mice.

Journal article

Previous studies have evaluated anti-CD4 mAb as idiotypic models of the HIV gp120-binding site for CD4. The success of this strategy depends upon the concept of internal image, whereby the binding paratope of the anti-CD4 structurally mimics the equivalent binding surface on HIV gp120. To test this concept of internal image, anti-idiotypic antibodies were raised against the anti-CD4, Leu-3a. If any of these anti-Id detect the paratopic idiotope on the anti-CD4 antibody, their own respective paratopes should structurally model the corresponding binding epitope on CD4 bound by Leu-3a. Consequently, the immunization of naive mice with the selected anti-Id should induce an anti-CD4 response which reflects the binding specificities of Leu-3a. Four anti-Id to Leu-3a were characterized and tested for their ability to induce anti-CD4 responses in naive animals. Although one anti-Id induced an anti-CD4 response in mice, no such response could be detected in other species. Thus the failure to raise anti-Id with internal image characteristics may provide an explanation for the lack of anti-gp120 activity reported in anti-Id antisera raised to multiple anti-CD4 antibodies.

Authors: Healey, D; Dianda, L; Beverley, P

• Journal: Journal of Immunology
• Volume: 148
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 821-826
• Publication date: 1992-02-01
• EISSN: 1550-6606
• ISSN: 0022-1767
• Language: English
• Keywords: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Mice; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; Humans; Cross Reactions; Isoantibodies; Antigens, CD4; Epitopes; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Animals