| Abstract: | Anti-p-azophenylarsonate (anti-Ar) antibodies arising in strain A mice immunized with keyhole limpet hemocyanin-Ar have previously been shown to exhibit strong idiotypic cross-reactions. The appearance of the cross-reacting idiotype is suppressed by prior administration of antiidiotypic antibody, but a high titer of anti-Ar antibodies lacking the idiotype is produced in response to the antigen. The present studies indicate that these antibodies do not share idiotype with anti-Ar antibodies arising in other suppressed or nonsuppressed mice of the same strain. Strain A mice therefore produce at least 2 populations of anti-Ar antibodies, one showing intrastrain cross-reactions and the other being unique to each mouse. The results emphasize the great diversity of anti-hapten antibodies produced within an inbred strain. Suppression persisted when 9 weeks were permitted to elapse between administration of antiidiotypic antibody and the first challenge with antigen. This gives further evidence that suppression takes place at a central level and not through simple neutralization by antiidiotypic antibody of anti-Ar antibodies bearing the cross-reactive idiotype. Suppression of idiotype is maintained for a total of at least 5 months. |
