Idiotype Suppression in Immune Response of BALB/c Mice to α-1,3-Dextran by Antiidiotypic Antibody

The two mouse myeloma globulins, MOPC-104E IgM and J558 IgA, have antibody specificity to α-1,3-dextran and represent two idiotypes of antidextran antibodies. The results of the reported experiments indicate that idiotype suppression could be achieved by prior immunization of BALB/c mice with either 104E IgM or J558 IgA. After this immunization antibodies to dextran were only of the other idiotype. The absence of cross-reactivity strongly suggests that the idiotypes of antidextran antibodies are directed against different epitopic groups on the antigen.