ABSTRACT
There are several examples which support the concept of internal image, demonstrating that anti-Idiotype (anti-id) antibodies can mimic various biologically active substances such as hormones, vitamins, ligand for the various receptor somatic cells, and viral, bacterial, and parasitic, antigens. The Idiotype (Id) discovered, studied, and characterized with anti-Id reagents. Anti-Id antibodies were obtained by immunization with polymerized immunoglobulins or coupled with various protein carriers. Anti-Id antibodies against the Id of the antigen receptor of T cells were obtained subsequent to the immunization of T-cell clones or hybridoma clones or mixed with adjuvant such as alum B pertussis. Anti-Id antibodies as well as Id-specific T cells define antigenic determinants of the variable region of polypeptide chains of the receptor of B and T cells. Anti-Id antibodies can recognize Id determinants associated with the combining site or with framework segments of the antigen receptor of T or B cells.
