Immunomodulatory potential of anti-idiotypic antibodies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases

Abstract

The immune system is a complex network of specialized cells and organs that recognises and reacts against foreign pathogens while remaining unresponsive to host tissues. This ability to self-tolerate is known as immunological tolerance. Autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system fails to differentiate between self and non-self antigens and releases autoantibodies to attack our own cells. Anti-idiotypic (anti-ID) antibodies are important in maintaining a balanced idiotypic regulatory network by neutralising and inhibiting the secretion of autoantibodies. Recently, anti-ID antibodies have been advanced as an alternative form of immunotherapy as they can specifically target autoantibodies, cause less toxicity and side effects, and could provide long-lasting immunity. This review article discusses the immunomodulatory potential of anti-ID antibodies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The immune system protects the body against infections and diseases, such as by producing antibodies. Usually, these antibodies only attack pathogens, leaving healthy cells unharmed. However, autoimmune disease may develop when the immune system mistakenly recognises part of the body as foreign and produces antibodies to attack them. Antibodies that attack our own cells are called autoantibodies. Anti-idiotypic antibodies could be utilized to stop autoantibodies from attacking self cells with minimal side effects and long-lasting immunity. This review discusses anti-idiotypic antibodies usage as an alternative form of immunotherapy to inhibit autoantibodies in autoimmune disease.