Selective in vitro inhibition of an antibody response to purified acetylcholine receptor by using anti-idiotypic antibodies coupled to the a chain of ricin
DeShambo, R.M.; Krolick, K.A.
Journal of Immunology 137(10): 3135-3139
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 3490511 Document Number: 280991
In vitro antibody responses by rat lymph node cells against purified acetylcholine receptor (AChR) were shown to be inhibitable by protein conjugates prepared with anti-idiotypic antibody and the toxic A chain of ricin. The idiotype specificity of the cytotoxicity was demonstrated by the inability of the same immunotoxin to inhibit an unrelated antibody response (anti-KLH) and by abrogation of specific toxicity in the presence of unconjugated anti-idiotype or antigen (AChR). Furthermore, immunotoxin prepared with an irrelevant antibody specificity failed to significantly inhibit either the anti-AChR or control antibody responses. Therefore, we suggest that idiotype-specific immunotoxins may be a useful addition or alternative to presently employed immunotherapies for autoimmune disease.