Shared idiotopes among antibodies encoded by heavy-chain variable region (VH) gene members of the J558 VH family as basis for cross-reactive regulation of clones with different antigen specificity.

A wide idiotype cross-reactivity was observed among six groups of monoclonal antibodies specific for arsonate and nitrophenyl haptens, hemagglutinin of PR8 and X31 influenza viruses, dextran, A48-idiotype, and a set of six monoclonal antibodies with unknown antigenic specificity. All of these antibodies are encoded by heavy-chain variable region (VH) genes belonging to the J558 VH family. This idiotypic cross-reactivity was determined by studying the binding of these antibodies to a panel of six monoclonal anti-idiotype antibodies, each one raised against a member of the six groups of monoclonal antibodies. The administration at birth of two such monoclonal anti-idiotype antibodies induced a long-lasting suppression not only of the corresponding idiotype but also of VH-related idiotypes with different antigenic specificities. These results suggest that the idiotypes encoded by VH genes that belong to the same VH gene family are interactive one with another. The possible physiological consequences of this immunochemical cross-reactivity are discussed.