Rico M J, Hall R P
Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
Arch Dermatol. 1989 Feb;125(2):271-5.
Antibodies specific for determinants within the variable region of an antibody molecule are known as anti-idiotypic antibodies. Anti-idiotypic antibodies specific for determinants within the antigen binding site of the antibody may mimic the original antigen and are said to bear an "internal image" of the antigen. These anti-idiotypic antibodies have been shown in animal studies to function as surrogate antigens in stimulating an immune response and may ultimately be useful therapeutically as vaccines to prevent infectious diseases, to enhance the immune response to neoplasms, and to modulate autoantibody production in autoimmune diseases.
