Auto-anti-idiotypy, autoimmunity and some thoughts on the structure of internal images.

Application of principles proposed by N.K. Jerne has led to the development of an auto-anti-idiotypic protocol for the preparation of monoclonal antibodies specific for receptors for acetylcholine, adenosine (A1), TSH, glucocorticoids and aldosterone. The properties of these antibodies are described with reference to their behavior as internal images of auto-antibodies found in patients with autoimmune disease or of ligands of the various receptors. The molecular basis of "internal imagery" is discussed in the context of specific antibodies and, in particular, with respect to the hemoglobin-myoglobin family of proteins. We venture the conclusion that immunoglobulins that mimic other biologically active polypeptides need not share primary sequence homologies.