Immune response to human immunodeficiency virus. In vivo administration of anti-idiotype induces an anti-gp160 response specific for a synthetic peptide.

Anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Id) to chimpanzee antibodies directed against a synthetic peptide corresponding to a native epitope associated with gp41 of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope glycoprotein were produced in rabbits. The peptide was analogous to amino acid sequences 735 to 752 from the human T cell leukemia virus-IIIB isolate of HIV. Characteristics of the anti-Id preparation included: 1) detection of a shared determinant present on a second chimpanzee and one of three rabbit antibody preparations directed against the synthetic peptide, 2) failure to recognize an idiotype (Id) in BALB/c mouse antisera to the peptide, and 3) partial inhibition of the homologous chimpanzee Id preparation from binding either peptide or a recombinant HIV gp160 preparation. Immunization of BALB/c mice with the anti-Id induced an antipeptide response which bound a recombinant gp160 preparation without subsequent peptide or gp160 exposure. The anti-gp160 containing sera from mice immunized with anti-Id were able to inhibit the Id-anti-Id reaction indicating that an Id-positive antibody response was induced. This Id is not normally expressed in the murine anti-gp 160 immune response to the synthetic peptide and suggests that this anti-Id may activate normally silent clones. This study indicates that Id networks may be operational during the immune response to HIV epitopes. Alternatively, anti-Id may be useful in altering the serologic characteristics of an antibody response to HIV and may offer potential for modulating the immune response in this viral infection.