Cell receptors for the mammalian reovirus. II. Monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibody blocks viral binding to cells.

A monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibody directed against an idiotypic determinant on a monoclonal anti-reovirus type 3 hemagglutinin antibody with viral neutralization activity is capable of binding to the surface of lymphoid cells (BW5147, R.1.1, and R1.E) and of inhibiting viral binding to cell surface receptors. The inhibition of viral binding was specific for the anti-idiotype antibody; viral binding was not inhibited by antibodies bound to the H-2k and Thy-1.2 antigens on the surface. Viral binding to idiotype-negative cells (P-815, EL-4) was not inhibited by the anti-idiotypic antibody, although these cells are susceptible to type 3 reovirus infection. These data suggest that there are at least two structural classes of type 3 reovirus receptors on murine cells. It is probable that anti-idiotypic antibodies of this type will be useful in studying the structure and regulation of viral receptors on cell surfaces and for the purification of these receptors, and may provide a way to block viral infection.