Induction of anti-DNA autoanti-idiotypic antibodies in (NZB X NZW)F1 mice: possible role for specific immune suppression.

(NZB X NZW)F1 (B/W) mice spontaneously produce anti-deoxyribonucleic (DNA) acid antibodies. PME77 anti-DNA monoclonal antibody (MoAb) is a syngeneic antibody bearing idiotype present in most B/W sera. In the present investigation the effect of immunization of B/W mice with the PME77 MoAb on the production of PME77 idiotypes and anti-DNA antibodies in B/W mouse sera was investigated. PME77 MoAb immunization regimen induced the production of autoanti-idiotypic antibodies and abrogated the expression of PME77 idiotype in B/W treated mice. In contrast, untreated mice and control B/W mice, receiving NZB polyclonal IgG2b which lacked detectable DNA binding capacity, expressed PME77 idiotopes. These results demonstrate that the expression of idiotype borne by autoantibodies may be modified through the induction of autoanti-idiotypic antibodies.