In vitro manipulation of human anti-DNA antibody production by anti-idiotypic antibodies conjugated with neocarzinostatin

Anti-DNA Id, 0-81, consist of 5 to 51% of Id in human anti-ssDNA antibodies; NE-1-Id shares 2 to 20% of those in anti-dsDNA antibodies. Thus, both 0-81-Id and NE-1-Id are of the cross-reactive Id that are commonly present among anti-DNA antibodies. In order to manipulate the production of anti-DNA antibodies by human PBL, we used mouse antiidiotypic mAb or those conjugated with a cytotoxic agent, neocarzinostatin. Treatment with the conjugates caused profound suppression of anti-ssDNA and anti-dsDNA antibody synthesis related to 0-81- and NE-1-Id. This was attributed to the specific killing of the clones bearing anti-DNA Id among the lymphocytes, evidenced by the indirect rosette formation tests. The Id-mediated suppression was not solely due to selective elimination of Id-positive B cells, because 50 to 92% of anti-DNA antibodies were suppressed by treatment with the conjugates. This was supported by flow cytometry analysis that showed a decrease of anti-Id-reactive cells when T cells were treated with the conjugates. This method, then, will permit an analysis of the question as to whether T cells reactive to anti-idiotypic antibodies might participate in the regulatory mechanism for anti-DNA production and, in addition, may lead to a new therapy for SLE.