Interferon-like activity in an anti-interferon anti-idiotypic hybridoma antibody.

We describe here an anti-idiotypic hybridoma antibody directed against affinity-purified rabbit idiotypic antibodies (Rb-Id) to a homogeneous protein, the recombinant human leukocyte A interferon (rIFN-alpha A). The supernatant of the hybridoma, designated 3-1B, was able to inhibit the neutralization of rIFN-alpha A activity by the idiotypic antibodies. An in vivo passage of uncloned 3-1B cells yielded hybridoma cells (presumably a subclone), designated 3B1, the supernatant of which exhibited interferon-like antiviral activity with both bovine kidney (MDBK) cells and human amnion (WISH) cells. This activity could be absorbed by polymer-bound goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin serum and by Rb-Id coupled to Affi-Gel 10, and could be partially eluted from the latter at pH 2.5. The anti-idiotypic hybridoma antibody was able to compete with 125I-rIFN-alpha A for binding to the Rb-Id and also to interferon receptor-bearing MDBK cells. The clinical significance of an interferon-like anti-idiotypic antibody is discussed.