Allotypic restriction of the expression of MOPC460 idiotope after immunization with either anti-2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) or anti-idiotypic antibodies

Differential idiotype utilization for the in vivo type 14 capsular polysaccharide-specific Ig responses to intact Streptococcus pneumoniae versus a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

Murine IgG responses specific for the capsular polysaccharide (pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide serotype 14; PPS14) of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14 (Pn14), induced in response to intact Pn14 or a PPS14-protein conjugate, are both dependent on CD4(+) T cell help but appear to use marginal zone versus follicular B cells, respectively. In this study, we identify an idiotype (44.1-Id) that dominates the PPS14-specific IgG, but not IgM, responses to intact Pn14, isolated PPS14, and Group B Streptococcus (strain COH1-11) expressing capsular polysaccharide structurally identical to PPS14. The 44.1-Id, however, is not expressed in the repertoire of natural PPS14-specific Abs. In distinct contrast, PPS14-specific IgG responses to a soluble PPS14-protein conjugate exhibit minimal usage of the 44.1-Id, although significant 44.1-Id expression is elicited in response to conjugate attached to particles. The 44.1-Id elicited in response to intact Pn14 was expressed in similar proportions among all four IgG subclasses during both the primary and secondary responses. The 44.1-Id usage was linked to the Igh(a), but not Igh(b), allotype and was associated with induction of relatively high total PPS14-specific IgG responses. In contrast to PPS14-protein conjugate, avidity maturation of the 44.1-Id-dominant PPS14-specific IgG responses was limited, even during the highly boosted T cell-dependent PPS14-specific secondary responses to COH1-11. These results indicate that different antigenic forms of the same capsular polysaccharide can recruit distinct B cell clones expressing characteristic idiotypes under genetic control and suggest that the 44.1-Id is derived from marginal zone B cells.

Murine anti-TNP antibodies positive for either lambda 1 or lambda 2 light chains express common idiotypic determinants

Although the lambda-bearing antibodies represent only 5% of the total mouse serum immunoglobulins, some antigens such as B1355 dextran (alpha (1-3)Dex), the 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetyl (NP) and 2,4-dinitro or 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl (DNP/TNP) antigens can induce lambda-positive immune responses. In contrast to the lambda antibody response against alpha (1-3)Dex and NP antigens which is restricted to the lambda 1 isotype it was shown that the response to the DNP (or TNP) antigen uses lambda 1 and lambda 2 and lambda 3 isotypes. The idiotypy of the alpha (1-3)Dex and NP systems has been well characterized contrary to that of the lambda-positive anti-TNP/DNP response which has been poorly studied. In this paper, we describe two idiotopes (Id C19-3 and Id D11-2) shared by two BALB/c monoclonal anti-TNP antibodies (TNP5 and TNP9) which, respectively, use the lambda 1 and lambda 2 light chains. These idiotopes were independently expressed on other monoclonal anti-TNP/DNP antibodies and appear to require the use of a unique VH gene associated with a particular V lambda region. After TNP-Ficoll immunization, BALB/c mice recurrently express both idiotopes on lambda 1 and (lambda 2 + lambda 3) anti-TNP antibodies. In addition, all the mouse strains immunized against TNP-Ficoll give a lambda 1- and (lambda 2 + lambda 3)-positive immune response with the exception of SJL and SJA strains which present a deficit for the expression of lambda 1 light chain. The expression of Id C19-3 was restricted to the strains with the Igh-Va allotypic haplotype (including SJA) whereas the Id D11-2 was extensively expressed in the various strains.