Idiotypic analysis of monoclonal anti-fluorescyl antibodies: localization and characterization of idiotypic determinants.

Nine monoclonal IgG anti-fluorescyl antibodies, which exhibit diverse affinities for fluorescein (Fl) (Ka values ranging from 5 X 10(6) to 10(10) M-1) were analyzed idiotypically. Each of the BALB/c hybridoma proteins (gamma, kappa) exhibited unique idiotypic determinants although two clones (6-10-6 and 20-19-1) were partially (15-20%) cross-reactive. Of two other clones (4-6-9 and 4-6-10) derived from the same cell line, 4-6-9 contained gamma 1 heavy (H) chains and 4-6-10 contained both gamma 1 and gamma 2b H-chains. In addition, 4-6-9 shared idiotypic determinants with 4-6-10 although the latter also displayed unique idiotypic specificities. Collectively, the nine clones demonstrated structural diversity analogous to previous studies which defined binding mechanism diversity. The location of determinants recognized by anti-idiotype reagents directed against each of the monoclonal antibodies was examined by binding inhibition with free Fl and fluorescein-BSA (Fl-BSA). All clones contained determinants both within the active site (Fl-inhibitable) and in close proximity to it (Fl-BSA-inhibitable), although the relative proportions of these determinants varied among the clones. Inhibitor concns required for 50% inhibition varied independently of ligand binding affinity, and therefore were more likely influenced by the heterogeneous nature and affinity of the anti-idiotype reagents toward the individual determinants. Idiotypic analysis of H- and light (L) chains derived from five monoclonal antibodies of diverse affinities was performed. Fl binding and expression of idiotypic determinants by all clones required both H- and L-chains. Restoration of the idiotype by reassociated H- and L-chains was found to be highly restricted to homologous H- and L-chain pairs, as heterologous combinations did not result in the expression of either parental idiotype. The latter was true whether the heterologous pairs were derived from clones of the same isotype or the heterologous combination associated to form an intact molecule with greater affinity than the parental H- and L-chain combination. Heterologous recombinants from the two clones (6-10-6 and 20-19-1) exhibiting partial idiotypic cross-reactivity were able to restore a fraction (approximately 25%) of their idiotypic determinants. Results demonstrated the extensive conformational requirements of ligand binding and idiotype expression and indicated that a high degree of specificity in the VH- and VL-chain interaction must exist for the expression of these idiotypes.