Antiidiotypic antibodies as probes for receptor structure and function

Abstract

The immune system has evolved to recognize itself and respond to nonself (antigens) within the context of self (1, 2). The immune response needs to be specific, augmentable and yet limited in extent and temporally to the defense requirements of the organism (1, 2). Rearrangement of immunoglobulin (Ig)1 genes brings one VH segment into proximity with those of one of several J segments and a single CL segment and VH, D, J, and one of eight CH segments to assemble active light and heavy chain genes, respectively. This process entails somatic recombination and RNA splicing. The large number of gene line components to choose from, point mutations in V region and flexibility of the recombinational process between certain segments contribute to the extraordinary antibody diversity (2, 3). © 1985 by The Endocrine Society.