[Effect of anti-idiotypic antibody on production of anti-DNA antibodies by splenocytes in lupus prone mice].

It has been suggested that production of autoantibodies is regulated by idiotype-antiidiotype network. In this study, we examined modulatory effect of the antiidiotypic antibody on the synthesis of anti-DNA antibodies by New Zealand black/New Zealand white F1 mice (B/W F1) splenocytes. The antiidiotypic antibodies were prepared by immunization of a monoclonal anti-DNA antibody derived from B/W F1 to rabbits. The prepared antiidiotypic antibody had specificity to the antigen binding site of anti-DNA antibodies. B/W F1 splenocytes were adjusted to 1 X 10(6) cells/ml and cultured in 1.0 ml aliquots in the presence of varying concentrations of the antiidiotypic antibody for 48 hours. The cells were then washed three times, resuspended in RPMI1640 containing 10% fetal calf serum and cultured again. On days 3 and 7 of the culture, the supernatants were harvested and secretion of anti-DNA antibodies was measured by ELISA. Production of anti-DNA antibodies by B/W F1 splenocytes was suppressed by pretreatment with the antiidiotypic antibody. When the concentration of antiidiotypic antibody was 1 microgram/ml, anti-DNA activity of the supernatants decreased 50%, compared with control on day 3, but the effect was reduced on day 7. The treatment of antiidiotypic antibody did not affect the proliferation and viability of B/W F1 splenocytes. The results indicated that anti-DNA antibodies synthesis were regulated by idiotype-antiidiotype network and could be manipulated by the antiidiotypic antibody.