Activation of a functional idiotype network response by monoclonal antibody specific for a virus (M-MuLV)-induced tumor antigen

BALB/c mice were injected with IgM mAb specific for Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV)-determined cell surface Ag in an attempt to inhibit Moloney sarcoma growth. The monoclonal IgM significantly inhibited sarcoma growth when given to the mice after inoculation with Moloney murine sarcoma/leukemia virus, and also potentiated the in vivo antibody response specific for M-MuLV Ag. These responses were significantly greater than the primary response to the virus alone in age- and sex-matched control mice, and were also seen in mice which were injected with the IgM antibody only and not with virus, suggesting that an Ag-independent mechanism may be involved. The M-MuLV-specific serum antibody responses induced by the monoclonal IgM, with or without prior virus inoculation, were predominantly of the IgG1 isotype, with some IgG2a; no other isotypes were found to have titers significantly higher than in the normal response to virus alone. M-MuLV-specific IgG1 was detected only in mice injected with monoclonal IgM, and not in the response to virus alone. The same sera also had high titers of anti-idiotypic antibodies, (Ab2), as well as anti-anti-idiotypic antibodies (Ab3). It appears, therefore, that passive immunization with M-MuLV-specific IgM mAb activates an idiotypic network, which results in both Ab2 and Ab3 responses; the M-MuLV-specific response may be considered a subset of Ab3.     

Identical D region sequences expressed by murine monoclonal antibodies specific for a human tumor-associated antigen

Sequence analysis has revealed significant structural similarities among murine mAb specific for the human tumor-associated Ag GA733. Antibodies generated in independent immunizations, either with Ag-positive tumor cells or with anti-idiotypic antibodies produced by immunization of goats with a GA733-specific antibody, all use members of the same gene families; remarkably, they also express identical amino acid sequences in their H chain CDR3. Inasmuch as this region normally exhibits considerable sequence variability, the identity displayed by the antibodies indicates a requirement for this particular sequence in the generation of their specificity for the GA733 antigen. Moreover, this homology suggests that the antibodies recognize a common determinant on the Ag, and that the polyclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies can functionally mimic the Ag at the level of the structure of the Ag-specific antibody that is induced.     

Induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity responses by monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies to tumor cells expressing carcinoembryonic antigen and tumor-associated glycoprotein-72

The use of anti-idiotypic antibodies as immunogens represents one potential approach to active specific immunotherapy of cancer. Two panels of syngeneic monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies were generated. One panel was directed against mAb CC49 and the other to mAb COL-1. mAb CC49 recognizes the pancarcinoma antigen (Ag), tumor-associated glycoprotein-72 (TAG-72), and mAb COL-1 recognizes carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Seven anti-idiotypic (AI) antibodies (Ab2) designated AI49-1–7 were generated that recognize the variable region of mAb CC49. These mAb were shown to inhibit the interaction of mAb CC49 (Ab1) with TAG-72 (Ag). Five anti-idiotypic antibodies designated CAI-1–5 were also generated to the anti-CEA mAb, COL-1 (Ab1). These Ab2 were shown to inhibit the interaction between COL-1 (Ab1) and CEA (Ag). Immunization of mice, rats, and rabbits with Ab2 directed against CC49 or COL-1 could not elicit specific Ab3 humoral immune responses, i.e., antibody selectively reactive with their respective target antigens. However, immunization of mice with the CC49 anti-idiotypic antibody (Ab2), designated AI49-3, could induce a delayed-type hypersensitivity response (DTH) specific for tumor cells that express TAG-72. Similarly, immunization of mice with an anti-idiotypic antibody directed against COL-1, designated CAI-1, could induce specific DTH cell-mediated immune responses to murine tumor cells that express human CEA on their surface. These results thus demonstrate that while some anti-idiotype mAb may not be potent immunogens in eliciting Ab3 humoral responses, they are capable of eliciting specific cellular immune responses against human carcinoma-associated antigens. This type of mAb may ultimately be useful in active immunotherapy protocols for human carcinoma.Some of the studies described in this paper were in partial fulfillment of requirements for the completion of Dr. Irvine's dissertation at the George Washington University     

Moloney murine leukemia virus tolerance in anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody-treated adult mice.

Adult mice injected with Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV) 1 day after a short term treatment with anti-CD4 mAb developed T cell lymphomas, or sarcomas when rechallenged with Moloney murine sarcoma virus (M-MSV). Neoplastic development was correlated with virus spread, as thymic and peripheral T and B lymphocytes promptly expressed M-MuLV-induced Ag after virus introduction; no virus-specific CTL generation was detected in MLTC. This failure, which was selective for M-MuLV-induced Ag, persisted throughout the life span of the mice, and was not sustained by suppressor cell activity. The frequencies of splenic virus-specific CTL precursor varied in relation to time after virus injection; in the first postinjection month, frequencies were similar to those in nonimmune control mice, while at 4 mo post-virus exposure, they showed a striking reduction. These findings indicate that a transient functional impairment of CD4+ cells at the time of retrovirus injection provided the appropriate milieu for tolerance induction in both the peripheral mature and intrathymic T cell compartments.     

Persistent suppression of virus-specific cytotoxic T cell responses after transient depletion of CD4+ T cells in vivo

Co-administration of soluble Ag and anti-CD4 mAb has been successfully used to induce long term Ag-specific tolerance. The mechanisms underlying persistent immunologic unresponsiveness are unclear. We have now studied whether tolerance toward complex viral Ag expressed on Moloney sarcoma virus (MSV)-transformed tumor cells can be induced when given at the time of severe helper cell depletion. Although mice that had been injected with anti-CD4 mAb at the time of immunization regained the ability to recognize MSV Ag, their humoral and cytotoxic immunity to MSV were severely compromised. Ag-specific low responsiveness was maintained for more than 6 mo. To analyze the T cell repertoire of low responder mice we have estimated precursor frequencies of MSV-specific proliferative and cytotoxic T cells after the CD4+ T cell subset was fully reconstituted. There was no difference in the frequencies of control and low responder mice excluding clonal deletion as the mechanism maintaining low responsiveness. In co-culture experiments the defect in low responder mice could be localized to the regenerated CD4+ T cell subset, suggesting the induction of CD4+ suppressor-inducer cells. Alternatively, regenerated CD4+ cells in anti-CD4 conditioned mice had acquired a defect to provide help for MSV-specific responses. In spite of the potentials to induce low responsiveness to selected Ag by anti-CD4 conditioning, the risk to cause persistent virus-specific immunodeficiency might limit the clinical application of anti-CD4 therapy.     

Antibody response against a possible arthritogenic epitope on human type II collagen induced by anti-idiotypic antibody

We reported the presence of three distinct epitopes commonly present on murine and human type II collagen (CII), observed using mAb. To investigate the possible involvement of these epitopes in collagen-induced arthritis, we raised rabbit anti-idiotypic antibodies that may bear the internal image of these epitopes. Anti-idiotypic antibodies developed against three anti-CII mAb designated as 1-5, 2-14, and 2-15 were demonstrated to recognize idiotype expressed on Ag-binding site (paratope) of their related mAb. Anti-CII antibody response specific for a given epitope could be induced in DBA/1J mice upon immunization with anti-idiotypic antibodies coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin. Anti-idiotypic antibody to 1-5 antibody in particular could stimulate all DBA/1J mice for production of anti-CII antibody possessing Ag specificity and idiotype similar to those of 1-5 antibody. Although the mice immunized with anti-1-5 antibody alone did not develop arthritis, they did show a much more enhanced antibody response against a given epitope than did control mice non-treated with anti-idiotypic antibody upon the subsequent immunization with human CII. Some of the mice immunized with anti-1-5 antibody and challenged with human CII developed arthritis, whereas the control mice did not. These findings strongly suggest that a common epitope recognized by 1-5 antibody might be involved in the induction of arthritis.     

Anti-idiotype-induced, lipopolysaccharide-specific antibody response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Antibody directed to the O-specific polysaccharide (Ps) side chain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa LPS provides immunotype-specific protection against infection by virtue of enhancing opsonophagocytosis. We have developed a syngeneic anti-idiotypic antibody (mAb2) directed to a functionally active monoclonal immunotype 1 Ps-antibody (mAb1). The mAb2 performed as a molecular mimic of Ps as evidenced by 1) blocking of mAb1/mAb2 interaction by Ps, 2) blocking of mAb1/Ps binding by mAb2, 3) cross-species binding of mAb2 to human Ps antibodies from individuals immunized with the same immunotype 1 Ps, and 4) induction of anti-LPS antibody by immunization with mAb2 in syngeneic mice. Our studies thus show that an anti-idiotypic antibody may functionally mimic the O-polysaccharide of P. aeruginosa LPS, and bind to cross-reactive Id present in human Ps antibodies. We have further shown that this anti-idiotypic antibody induces anti-LPS antibody when used as an Ag in syngeneic mice, suggesting that this approach may eventually be used to successfully immunize humans.     

Immune response to Moloney murine leukemia virus nonviral, tumor-associated antigens fails to provide in vivo tumor protection.

Two distinct populations of CTL have previously been shown to be generated in lymphocyte cultures derived from the spleens of C57BL/6 mice that have rejected Moloney murine leukemia virus:Moloney sarcoma virus (MoMuLV:MSV)-induced tumors. One population is specific for MoMuLV viral Ag whereas the other appears to be directed against a nonviral, tumor-associated Ag (TAA). Using a virus-negative variant of the MoMuLV-induced lymphoma MBL-2 that has retained the expression of the MuLV:TAA, we attempted to further characterize the MuLV:TAA-specific CTL population. First, this same pattern of CTL reactivity was observed using a variety of immunization protocols indicating that the TAA-specific CTL population was not an artifact of the original immunization protocol but was a reproducible component of the MoMuLV CTL response. Moreover, CTL precursor frequency analysis indicates that the MuLV:TAA-specific CTL represent approximately 60% of the CTL detected in in vitro cytotoxicity assays. However, when the role of MuLV:TAA CTL in the in vivo rejection of MoMuLV-induced tumors was examined, no role for the MuLV:TAA-specific CTL response could be determined. Immunization protocols that had been shown to give rise to both CTL populations were capable of protecting mice from tumor development after a challenge with the parental MBL-2 tumor cell line but not the virus-negative variant MBLv cell line. In addition, immunization with the variant, shown to give rise to only MuLV:TAA-specific CTL capable of lysing both MBL-2 and MBLv in vitro, failed to protect mice from a tumor challenge of either cell type.     

High idiotypic connectivity of the VH7183-encoded antibodies directed to a murine embryonic carbohydrate antigen, Lewis Y, as ascertained by syngenic anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies

The Lewis Y Ag is a carbohydrate Ag which is closely related to a well-known murine embryonic Ag, the stage-specific embryonic Ag-1 (SSEA-1), in its biochemical structure. It is expressed at the surface of murine embryonic cells as well as many murine cancer cells. For the analysis of idiotopes carried by the anti-Lewis Y antibodies, we generated two syngenic anti-idiotypic mAb, Id-A1 and Id-B4 (both BALB/c IgG1), which are directed to the idiotypic determinants carried by the anti-Lewis Y mAb, AH-6 (BALB/c IgM). Both Id-A1 and Id-B4 (Ab2) recognized paratope-related idiotopes carried by the AH-6 antibody (Ab1); they specifically inhibited the binding of AH-6 to the Lewis Y Ag. The high idiotypic connectivity of anti-Lewis Y antibodies was noted; the polyclonal anti-idiotype antibody, produced in the sera of BALB/c mice by immunizing AH-6 antibody, cross-reacted with several anti-Lewis Y mAb which has been established in different laboratories. Id-B4 and Id-A1 seem to represent such cross-reactive anti-idiotypic antibodies. Id-A1 recognized an idiotope carried by two out of six panel Ab1 mAb directed to the Lewis Y Ag. Id-B4 reacted with four out of the six panel antibodies, and was considered to recognize a recurrent idiotope of anti-Lewis Y antibodies which occurs more commonly than the idiotope recognized by Id-A1. All of the anti-Lewis Y antibodies which carry idiotopes that react with Id-A1 or Id-B4 were encoded by the VH genes of the VH7183 family; the most D-J proximal VH gene family in BALB/c mice, which is known to be preferentially expressed in embryonic B cells. Immunization of BALB/c mice with keyhole limpet hemocyanin-conjugated Id-B4 and/or Id-A1 induced a significant titer of anti-Lewis Y antibodies (Ab1-like Ab3) in the sera.     

Dissecting the Immune Response to Moloney Murine Sarcoma/Leukemia Virus-Induced Tumors by Means of a DNA Vaccination Approach

The intramuscular inoculation of Moloney murine sarcoma/leukemia (M-MSV/M-MuLV) retroviral complex gives rise to sarcomas that undergo spontaneous regression due to the induction of a strong immune reaction mediated primarily by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). We used a DNA-based vaccination approach to dissect the CTL response against the Gag and Env proteins of M-MSV/M-MuLV in C57BL/6 (B6) mice and to evaluate whether plasmid DNA-immunized mice would be protected against a subsequent challenge with syngeneic tumor cells expressing the viral antigens. Intramuscular DNA vaccination induced CTL against both Gag and Env proteins. A detailed analysis of epitopes recognized by CTL generated in mice inoculated with the whole virus and with the Gag-expressing plasmid confirmed the presence of an immunodominant peptide in the leader sequence of Gag protein (Gag_85–93, CCLCLTVFL) that is identical to that described in B6 mice immunized with Friend MuLV-induced leukemia cells. Moreover, CTL generated by immunization with the Env-encoding plasmid recognized a subdominant Env peptide (Env_189–196, SSWDFITV), originally described in the B6.CH-2^bm13 mutant strain. B6 mice immunized with the Gag-expressing plasmid were fully protected against a lethal tumor challenge with M-MuLV-transformed MBL-2 leukemia cells, while vaccination with the Env-expressing plasmid resulted in rejection of the tumor in 44% of the mice and in increased survival of an additional 17% of the animals. Taken together, these results indicate the existence of a hierarchy in the capacity of different structural viral proteins to induce a protective immune response against retrovirus-induced tumors.     

Induction of immune tolerance during administration of monoclonal antibody to L3T4 does not depend on depletion of L3T4+ cells

Treatment of mice with mAb to L3T4 profoundly depletes T helper cells. This treatment inhibits humoral and cellular immunity, retards autoimmunity, and permits the induction of Ag-specific tolerance. Treatment of BALB/c mice with F(ab')2 anti-L3T4 inhibits humoral immunity without depleting L3T4+ cells, which is evidence that mAb to L3T4 may inhibit T helper cell function in vivo. In this report, we demonstrate that F(ab')2 anti-L3T4 also permits the induction of immune tolerance in a manner that is independent of T cell depletion. C57BL/6 mice were treated with 1 mg of F(ab')2 anti-L3T4 every other day for 18 days and from the onset were challenged weekly with the immunogen 2C7, a rat mAb to chicken ovalbumin. These mice failed to respond to 2C7 not only during the treatment period but also for at least 5 mo thereafter. This immune tolerance was Ag-specific; the mice rapidly produced antibodies to subsequent challenge with another Ag, human gamma-globulin. Unlike intact anti-L3T4, which immediately depletes L3T4+ cells by greater than 90%, F(ab')2 anti-L3T4 did not initially deplete cells and caused only a partial reduction by the end of the 18-day treatment. This partial reduction of L3T4+ cells did not contribute to the induction of tolerance because mice that were first challenged with 2C7 3 days after stopping the F(ab')2 anti-L3T4 treatment, when L3T4+ cells were lowest, had a normal Ir to 2C7. These findings demonstrate that mAb to L3T4 permits induction of Ag-specific immune tolerance by a mechanism independent of its ability to deplete L3T4+ cells. They also show that F(ab')2 anti-L3T4 treatment does not impair humoral immunity when immunization is initiated after treatment is stopped. Because L3T4 is homologous to CD4 in humans, our findings suggest that F(ab')2 anti-CD4 may offer significant advantages over the use of intact anti-CD4 as an immunosuppressive agent in humans.     

Monoclonal antibody against IFN-gamma inhibits Moloney murine sarcoma virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte differentiation

The role of autochthonous IFN- production was evaluated in immune reactions to Moloney murine sarcoma virus (M-MSV)-induced tumors which are characterized by spontaneous regression mainly caused by virus-specific CTL activity. A functional IFN- depletion, induced by repeated administration of mAb anti-IFN- at the site of virus inoculation, prevented tumor regression in M-MSV-injected mice. Moreover, this antibody inhibited in vitro both proliferation and differentiation of M-MSV-specific T lymphocytes obtained in bulk cultures, but not growth and lytic activity of the already differentiated virus-specific CTL clone CHM-14 stimulated with rIL-2 and relevant tumor Ag. In addition, in mice receiving mAb treatment the frequency of M-MSV-specific CTL precursors, evaluated by means of limiting dilution analysis, was strongly reduced in comparison with that of control mice injected only with virus. Because CTL secrete IFN- following antigenic stimulation, the possibility that non-T effector cells recruited by this lymphokine might mediate tumor regression was also considered. Adoptive immunotherapy experiments, performed in T cell-deficient (Tx + BM) and in sublethally irradiated mice, demonstrated that transfer of CHM-14 CTL clone, which secretes IFN-, was able to counteract M-MSV tumor growth despite the local mAb anti-IFN- treatment which may have prevented host cell recruitment. Moreover, repeated local rIFN- inoculations in Tx + BM mice did not counteract M-MSV tumor progression, thus confirming that other IFN- properties such as non-T cell recruitment, antiviral or anti-proliferative IFN- activities have little or no relevance when M-MSV-specific CTL are lacking. On the whole, these results indicate that in M-MSV-injected mice, tumor enhancement after mAb anti-IFN- treatment is principally caused by impaired differentiation of virus-specific CTL precursors.     

Human monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies. I. Establishment of immortalized cell lines from a tumor patient treated with mouse monoclonal antibodies

Patients who undergo immunotherapy with a murine anti-colon carcinoma mAb (mAb17-1A) generate high titers of anti-idiotype and anti-isotype antibodies. Specifically selected anti-idiotypic antibodies that elicit in vivo a humoral and a cellular immune response against the nominal Ag can be used as surrogate Ag for immunization. We established from the B lymphocytes of a treated patient a series of EBV-transformed cell lines. Three weeks after immortalization, the cells were selected for production of antibodies (Ab2) against the Fab fragment of the murine mAb17-1A. The selected cells were cloned and screened by ELISA for specific anti-mAb17-1A idiotypic antibodies. Thirty-six out of 89 clones were anti-idiotypes. Cell culture supernatants and the purified Ig derived from 10 clones completely inhibited the specific binding of radiolabeled mAb17-1A to HT-29 colon carcinoma cells thus resembling Ab2-gamma anti-idiotypes. These cell lines which grow now in culture for 18 mo, continuously secrete IgG,K anti-Ab1-idiotype mAb. Human anti-idiotypic mAb might be candidates for vaccines when the nominal Ag itself is not available or cannot be used as such.     

Generation of a recombinant Moloney murine leukemia virus carrying the v-src gene of avian sarcoma virus: transformation in vitro and pathogenesis in vivo.

A Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV) recombinant carrying the v-src gene of avian sarcoma virus was generated by the introduction of a cloned portion of v-src from Schmidt-Ruppin A avian sarcoma virus into a molecular clone of M-MuLV provirus at the recombinant DNA level. The v-src sequences (lacking a portion of the 5' end of v-src) were inserted into the p30 region of the M-MulV gag gene so that M-MuLV gag and v-src were in the same reading frame. Transfection of this chimeric clone, pMLV(src), into NIH 3T3 cells which were constitutively producing M-MuLV gag and pol protein resulted in the formation of foci of transformed cells. Infectious and transforming virus could be recovered from the transformed cells. This virus was designated M-MuLV(src). M-MuLV(src)-transformed cells contained two novel proteins of 78 and 90 kilodaltons. The 78-kilodalton protein, p78gag-src, contained both gag and src determinants, exhibited kinase activity in an immune kinase assay, and is probably a fusion of Pr65gag and src. The 90-kilodalton protein, which is of the appropriate size to be the gPr80gag fused to src, contained gag determinants as well as a V8 protease cleavage fragment typical of the carboxy terminus of avian sarcoma virus pp60src. However, it could not be immunoprecipitated with an anti-v-src serum. M-MuLV(src)-transformed cells showed elevated levels of intracellular phosphotyrosine in proteins, although the elevation was intermediate compared with cells transformed with wild-type v-src. M-MuLV and amphotropic murine leukemia virus pseudotypes of M-MuLV(src) were inoculated into newborn NIH Swiss mice. Inoculated mice developed solid tumors at the site of inoculation after 3 to 6 weeks, with most animals dying by 14 weeks. Histopathological analysis indicated that the solid tumors were mesenchymally derived fibrosarcomas that were both invasive and metastatic.     

Differential kinetics of antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in the regression of retrovirus-induced sarcomas

Despite the accepted role for CD4+ T cells in immune control, little is known about the development of Ag-specific CD4+ T cell immunity upon primary infection. Here we use MHC class II tetramer technology to directly visualize the Ag-specific CD4+ T cell response upon infection of mice with Moloney murine sarcoma and leukemia virus complex (MoMSV). Significant numbers of Ag-specific CD4+ T cells are detected both in lymphoid organs and in retrovirus-induced lesions early during infection, and they express the 1B11-reactive activation-induced isoform of CD43 that was recently shown to define effector CD8+ T cell populations. Comparison of the kinetics of the MoMSV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses reveals a pronounced shift toward CD8+ T cell immunity at the site of MoMSV infection during progression of the immune response. Consistent with an important early role of Ag-specific CD4+ T cell immunity during MoMSV infection, CD4+ T cells contribute to the generation of virus-specific CD8+ T cell immunity within the lymphoid organs and are required to promote an inflammatory environment within the virus-infected tissue.     

Collagen-Induced Arthritis Suppressed with Monoclonal Anti-Idiotypic Antibody

In foregoing work, we identified at least 5 distinct epitopes on human type II collagen (CII), using 8 murine monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against human CII, and suggested that a species-nonspecific epitope on CII recognized by anti-CII mAb termed 1-5 is an arthritogenic epitope. We also found that antibody response against a selected epitope of human CII could be induced by immunization with rabbit anti-idiotypic (Id) antibody against anti-CII mAb. The author developed and characterized monoclonal anti-Id antibodies against 1-5 mAb recognizing a putative arthritogenic epitope. The author also investigated whether the anti-Id mAb could regulate antibody response directed against a selected epitope recognized by 1-5 mAb, and the induction of collagen-induced arthritis in DBA/1J mice. DBA/1J mice intravenously preinjected with anti-Id mAb to 1-5, did not produce anti-CII antibody expressing 1-5 Id upon immunization with human CII. Furthermore, as the development of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1J mice pretreated with anti-Id mAb to 1-5 was significantly suppressed, anti-Id mAb will be a useful tool for studying the regulation of antibody response to a selected epitope. This study lends support to our hypothesis that the 1-5 epitope is an arthritogenic epitope.     

Preleukemic hematopoietic hyperplasia induced by Moloney murine leukemia virus is an indirect consequence of viral infection.

We previously showed that neonatal mice inoculated with Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV) exhibit a preleukemic state characterized by splenomegaly and increased numbers of hematopoietic progenitors. An M-MuLV variant with greatly reduced leukemogenic potential, Mo+PyF101 M-MuLV, does not generally induce this preleukemic state. In order to investigate the mechanism involved in M-MuLV induction of preleukemic hyperplasia, we tested the CFU-mixed myeloid and erythroid (CFUmix) from M-MuLV- and Mo+PyF101 M-MuLV-inoculated mice for the presence of virus by antibody staining and for the release of infectious virus. The majority of CFUmix colonies from both M-MuLV- and Mo+PyF101 M-MuLV-inoculated mice contained infectious virus even though M-MuLV-inoculated mice showed elevated levels of CFUmix while the Mo+PyF101 M-MuLV-inoculated mice did not. This indicates that direct infection of hematopoietic progenitors was not sufficient to induce hyperplasia. Rather, hematopoietic hyperplasia may result indirectly from infection of some other cell type.     

Anti-idiotype-induced, lipopolysaccharide-specific antibody response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. II. Isotype and functional activity of the anti-idiotype-induced antibodies

We recently developed a murine anti-idiotypic mAb that functioned as a molecular mimic of the O-specific polysaccharide side chain (Ps) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa LPS in vitro, and which induced Ps-specific antibodies in syngeneic BALB/c ByJ mice. In the current studies, we demonstrate that these anti-Id-induced, Ps-specific antibodies fix complement to the bacterial cell surface, and protect neutropenic mice from fatal P. aeruginosa sepsis. The isotypic distribution of the anti-Id-induced antibodies, however, resembles the restricted pattern (IgM and IgG3) seen after administration of purified Ps to mice. The immunogenicity and number of isotypes of Ps-specific antibody produced could be enhanced by conjugating the anti-Id to keyhole limpet hemocyanin. Finally, the anti-Id administered before immunization with purified Ps, primed BALB/c ByJ mice for production of other Ps-specific antibody isotypes (IgG1). These studies show that this anti-Id induces functional anti-Ps antibodies in syngeneic mice, and when used in conjugate form or as a priming agent before Ps immunization, yields an antibody response consistent with "T cell dependence." These immunization strategies may be useful for the induction of polysaccharide-specific antibodies in man.     

VH and VL gene usage by murine IgG antibodies that bind autologous insulin

To assess the recognition structures of antibodies that bind a self-Ag, we used mRNA analysis to identify the V region genes of IgG antibodies that bind autologous insulin. Four anti-insulin mAb from primary immunization of BALB/c mice use different combinations of H and L chain V region genes. Two VH genes are from the V-gam 3-2 and V-gam 3-8 families that are infrequently expressed in adult BALB/c mice, and two VH genes are members of the J558 family. Each anti-insulin antibody uses a different Vk gene family. Two antibodies express common Vk genes (Ox1 and Vk21C), whereas two other Vk genes are unusual in BALB/c mice. One Vk gene may represent a BALB/c equivalent of the VkOx2 subfamily and another is identical to a Vk used by anti-idiotypic antibodies from C57Bl/6 mice. When compared with known germ-line counterparts, all of the Vk sequences are close to germ-line configuration. In contrast, the germ-line counterparts for the anti-insulin VH genes are not known, however, they differ only in five to seven predicted amino acids from VH of other expressed antibodies. One antibody (mAb 123) differs in one amino acid in complementarity-determining regions 1 and 2 from the VH of the murine tumor BCL1, and another (mAb 126) employs an unmutated DFL16.1 germ-line D segment. These data suggest that antibodies binding autologous insulin use V gene components that are not extensively mutated, even when derived by immunization with heterologous insulin.