Idiotypic regulation of autoantibody production.

The manuscript will deal with various aspects of the origin of autoantibody formation in relationship with idiotypy. The proposed analysis will cover three major aspects: (1) overview of the published data on idiotypic characterization of autoantibodies in various systems by conventional serologic investigation; (2) presentation of the structural and genetic data available for autoantibodies; and (3) description of the most significant experiment of in vivo manipulation of autoantibody production using idiotypy as the central element for immune regulation. The manuscript will also discuss some theoretical aspects of regulation by idiotype and its possible relevance to improve our understanding of autoreactivity as well as the pathogenesis of certain autoimmune diseases.