Antiidiotypiska

Antiidiotypic antibodies are a class of antibodies that recognize and bind to the idiotype of another antibody. The idiotype refers to the unique set of variable region epitopes on an antibody that are involved in antigen binding. In essence, an antiidiotypic antibody is an antibody that recognizes another antibody's antigen-binding site.

This concept was first introduced by Niels Jerne in the 1970s as part of his network theory of immune regulation. The network theory proposed that the immune system is a complex network of interactions, where antibodies can stimulate or inhibit the production of other antibodies. Antiidiotypic antibodies play a crucial role in this network by acting as internal regulators of the immune response. When an antibody is produced in response to an antigen, it can itself become an antigen, and the immune system can generate antiidiotypic antibodies against it.

These antiidiotypic antibodies can mimic the original antigen, a phenomenon known as the "idiotypic mimicry." This mimicry has led to the development of antiidiotypic vaccines. By using antiidiotypic antibodies that resemble a pathogen, it is possible to elicit an immune response that protects against the actual pathogen without exposing the individual to the pathogen itself. This approach has shown promise in preclinical studies for various infectious diseases and cancer.

The interactions between idiotypic and antiidiotypic antibodies are complex and contribute to maintaining immune homeostasis, preventing excessive immune responses, and shaping the repertoire of immune cells. Research continues to explore the full potential of antiidiotypic antibodies in diagnostics and therapeutics.