Idiotype Regulation in the Antibody Response to Phosphocholine

摘要: The antibody response to many natural or experimental antigens is often dominated by a single family of immunoglobulin molecules directly encoded derived from germ-line variable-region gene.(1–3) This the case even though number alternative antibodies with apparent specificity for same antigen can be produced(4–7) essential question we wish address concerns mechanism which one gene product selected expression in response. If assume that all V genes have an equal opportunity at pre-B-cell level, then given B-cell clone must expanded become dominant either selection regulatory system distinguish region another, i.e., idiotypic network.(8) While both types mechanisms could operate simultaneously, present this chapter some recent observations lead us emphasize importance acting on distinct emerging subpopulations explaining idiotype composition murine antiphosphocholine (anti-PC)