Further Characterization of Internal Image‐Bearing Anti‐Idiotypic Antibodies: Specific Binding to Immunoglobulin Receptors on Murine Hybridoma Cells Secreting Antibodies to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen.

Abstract

The further characterization of internal image anti‐idiotypic antibodies (anti‐Id) that represent a potential alternative vaccine candidate for type B viral hepatitis is described. The anti‐Id preparation contains an internal image component or related epitope that mimics hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and binds to murine hybridoma cells that secrete antibodies to HBsAg (anti‐HBs). This binding to anti‐HBs‐secreting hybridomas was partially inhibited by intact HBsAg particles and was associated with the expression of an interspecies idiotype. Immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that the anti‐Id bound to immunoglobulin molecules expressed on the surface of the hybridoma cells. These data suggest that internal image anti‐Id, which induces an in vivo antibody response by antigenic mimicry in the absence of HBsAg, binds to anti‐HBs molecules on the surface of cells actively secreting anti‐HBs. The possible mechanism for internal image anti‐Id‐based antibody vaccines that mimic the overall conformation of antigens associated with infectious agents is discussed.