Induction of anti-idiotypic antibodies to a myeloma protein linked covalently to muramyl dipeptide.

BALB/c mice immunized with the MOPC-315 myeloma protein linked covalently to the adjuvant muramyl dipeptide developed antibodies against the MOPC protein. The anti-idiotypic nature of the antibodies was demonstrated by the ability of N epsilon-2,4-dinitrophenyl-l-lysine, a known MOPC-315 ligand, to block antibody binding. Immunized mice developed protection against in vivo challenge with MOPC-315 tumor cells. No anti-tumor cell-mediated cytotoxicity could be demonstrated in immunized and challenged mice.