부산대학교 도서관

Idiotypes are molecular clues used to explore the specificity and diversity of immune response. In the present study, anti-idiotype antibodies were used to neutralize the pathogenic effects induced by the injection of pemphigus immunoglobulin(Ig)G into BALB/c mice. To achieve our goal, antidesmoglein 1 IgG was obtained from a patient with pemphigus foliaceus with high titer of antiepithelial antibodies. The IgG was isolated by ion exchange chromatography, then digested by pepsin. F(ab′)[sub 2] fragments were purified in Sephacryl S-300 and injected in rabbits to produce anti-idiotype antibodies. The rabbit sera reacted with the pemphigus F(ab′)[sub 2] fragments. Eleven pemphigus foliaceus sera were recognized by the anti-idiotype serum at the light or heavy chains whereas bullous pemphigoid and normal IgG were negative. Neonatal BALB/c mice injected with pemphigus IgG developed intraepidermal blisters, mimicking the clinical and immunopathological features of the pemphigus. In contrast, the animals treated with anti-idiotype antibodies and pemphigus IgG did not develop blisters. Thus, anti-idiotype antibodies neutralize in vivo the pathogenic effects of pemphigus IgG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]