Thymus-independent induction of idiotype suppression in newborn mice by syngeneic anti-idiotype antisera.

BALB/c and BALB/c nu/nu mice were shown to express to a variable extent in their response against dextran B1355S (Dex), an idiotype which is present on the Dex-reactive BALB/c myeloma protein MOPC 104E. Injection of minute amounts of syngeneic anti-MOPC 104E idiotype antisera into neonatal euthymic or athymic BALB/c mice suppressed this idiotype in the Dex-specific response of the adult animals. When spleen cells from suppressed BALB/c mice were transferred into irradiated BALB Ighb mice the state of suppression persisted. Data are discussed with respect to possible mechanisms regulating expression of this idiotype.