Idiotype and antigen-specific T cell responses in mice on immunization with antigen, antibody, and anti-idiotypic antibody

Development of Anti-idiotypic Monoclonal Antibody Mimicking SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Domain

Using the hybridoma technique, we developed a panel of anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies (aId-mAb) that mimic The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Receptor-Binding Domain (RBD) molecule against Fragment antigen-binding (Fab) of anti-SARS-CoV-2 (S1, RBD) antibodies. Investigated the in vivo and in vitro effects of these aId-mAbs we developed and examined their antigenic mimicry abilities. Among these 12 antibodies, 6 aId-mAbs (designated FY1B4, FY2A6, H9F3, E6G7, FY7E11, and FY8H3) were selected for further characterization in a series of experiments. First, competitive receptor binding assay results confirmed that six aId-mAbs could specifically bind to the ACE2 receptor in target cells and block the interaction between the RBD molecule and the ACE receptor. Moreover, we examined the immunological activities of these aId-mAbs in female BALB/c and showed that E6G7, H7E11, and H8H3 aId-mAbs induce an antibody response by mimicking RBD and stimulating the immune system. It is considered that these three aId-mAbs will be evaluated as SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate molecules in future studies.

Immune Response Regulation by Antigen Receptors' Clone-Specific Nonself Parts

Antigen determinants (epitopes) are recognized by the combining sites (paratopes) of B and T cell antigen receptors (BCR/TCR), which again express clone-specific epitopes (idiotopes) that can be recognized by BCR/TCR not only of genetically different donors but also within the autologous immune system. While xenogeneic and allogeneic anti-idiotypic BCR/TCR are broadly cross-reactive, only autologous anti-idiotypes are truly specific and of functional regulatory relevance within a particular immune system. Autologous BCR/TCR idiotopes are (a) somatically created at the third complementarity-determining regions, (b) through mutations introduced into BCRs during adaptive immune responses, and (c) through the conformational impact of both. As these idiotypic characters have no genomic counterparts they have to be regarded as antigen receptor-intrinsic nonself-portions. Although foreign, however, they are per se non-immunogenic, but in conjunction with immunogenicity- and adjuvanticity-providing antigen-induced immune responses, they induce abating regulatory idiotypic chain reactions. The dualistic nature of antigen receptors of seeing antigens (self and nonself alike) and being nonself at the same time has far reaching consequences for an understanding of the regulation of adaptive immune responses.

A complementary La/SSB epitope anchored to Sequential Oligopeptide Carrier regulates the anti-La/SSB response in immunized animals

Complementary peptide epitopes, derived from complementary RNA sequences, have been used for suppressing the autoimmune response in experimental autoimmune diseases as myasthenia gravis, allergic neuritis and allergic encephalomyelitis. Aiming at contributing to the development of a tool that could regulate the autoantibody production against La/SSB, which is the main target of autoantibodies in Sjogren's syndrome (SS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the complementary epitope, cpep349-364, of the minor T/major B cell epitope of La/SSB, pep349-364, was utilized for the induction of neutralizing anti-cpep349-364 antibodies in rabbit immunizations. Complementary peptides were coupled to an artificial carrier, developed in our laboratory, in order to enhance the complementary potency of cpep349-364 and its counterpart. This carrier, named Sequential Oligopeptide Carrier, SOC(n), formed by the repeating tripeptide Lys-Aib-Gly, adopts helical conformation, which allows the anchored peptide epitopes to preserve their initial reactivity such as molecular recognition, antigenicity/immunogenicity. Our study provides proof of evidence of specific interactions between idiotypic (Id)/anti-idiotypic (anti-Id) antibodies generated in immunized animals by the sense epitope (conjugate I) of La/SSB and its complementary counterpart (conjugate II). It was also demonstrated that the Id/anti-Id association is specifically disrupted by adding either the sense epitope (conjugate I) or its complementary counterpart (conjugate II). A mutual neutralization of Id/anti-Id antibodies was observed in vivo, which implies that generation of anti-Id antibodies by immunization with the complementary La/SSB epitope could scavenge the anti-La/SSB response.

New T cell epitopes identified from an anti-idiotypic antibody mimicking ovarian cancer associated antigen

Anti-idiotype (Id) antibodies can be used to induce specific cellular immune responses against tumor antigens, but the mechanism of antigenicity is not always clear. We previously reported an anti-Id antibody, 6B11, which mimics human ovarian cancer associated antigen OC166-9. To explore the molecular basis of cellular immune response induced by 6B11, a panel of peptides derived from complementarity determining region (CDR) of 6B11 were synthesized. After a series of immunologic experiments, we found that the light chain CDR3 peptide and heavy chain CDR3 peptide were the MHC class I and class II epitopes of 6B11, respectively. The combination of MHC class I and class II epitopes is more effective than 6B11 in inducing specific cellular immune response against ovarian cancer. Our study provided the structural basis of antigenicity of 6B11. The identification of antigen-specific T cell eptitopes in 6B11 should facilitate the design of epitope-based vaccine against human ovarian cancer.

A CD8+ T cell clone specific for antigen also recognizes peptidomimics present in anti-idiotypic antibody: implications for T cell memory

The relay hypothesis [R. Nayak, S. Mitra-Kaushik, M.S. Shaila, Perpetuation of immunological memory: a relay hypothesis, Immunology 102 (2001) 387-395] was earlier proposed to explain perpetuation of immunological memory without requiring long lived memory cells or persisting antigen. This hypothesis envisaged cycles of interaction and proliferation of complementary idiotypic B cells (Burnet cells) and anti-idiotypic B cells (Jerne cells) as the primary reason for perpetuation of immunological memory. The presence of peptidomimics of antigen in anti-idiotypic antibody and their presentation to antigen specific T cells was postulated to be primary reason for perpetuation of T cell memory. Using a viral hemagglutinin as a model, in this work, we demonstrate the presence of peptidomimics in the variable region of an anti-idiotypic antibody capable of functionally mimicking the antigen derived peptides. A CD8+ CTL clone was generated against the hemagglutinin protein which specifically responds to either peptidomimic synthesizing cells or peptidomimic pulsed antigen presenting cells. Thus, it appears reasonable that a population of activated antigen specific T cells is maintained in the body by presentation of peptidomimic through Jerne cells and other antigen presenting cells long after immunization.

Immunization of mice with DNA coding for the variable regions of anti-idiotypic antibody generates antigen-specific response

Understanding the mechanisms of generation and maintenance of immunological memory is crucial for rational vaccine design. A hypothesis known as relay hypothesis was earlier proposed which explains the maintenance of immunological memory through interaction of idiotypic and anti-idiotypic lymphocytes. In the present study, we have shown that immunization with rinderpest virus hemagglutinin protein specific anti-idiotypic antibody (Ab(2)v(beta)) DNAs coding for heavy and light chains generates antigen-specific antibody and T cell responses as well as Ab1 specific T cell response. We further show that boosting with the recombinant Ab(2)-vbeta proteins generates B and T cell memory response specific for antigen in anti-id DNA primed mice. This study provides experimental evidence for perpetuation of immunological memory through idiotypic network interactions.

Maintenance of antigen-specific immunological memory through variable regions of heavy and light chains of anti-idiotypic antibody

Immunological memory is characterized by a quick and enhanced immune response after re-exposure to the same antigen. To explain the mechanism involved in generation and maintenance of immunological memory, we had earlier proposed a hypothesis involving the relay of memory by idiotypic and anti-idiotypic B cells. The peptidomimic present in the hypervariable region of anti-idiotypic antibody was hypothesized to carry forward immunological memory. In the present work, we provide evidence supporting a role for the anti-idiotypic antibody in eliciting antigen-specific B-cell and T-cell responses. Employing the idiotypic monoclonal antibody (Ab(1)) specific for haemagglutinin (H) protein of rinderpest virus, Ab(2beta) was generated, which possesses an internal image of the H protein in the region between amino acids 527 and 556. We demonstrate that antigen-specific memory is perpetuated by immunization with Ab(2), as shown by maintenance of antigen-specific T-cell responses upon restimulation in vitro of Ab(2) immune splenocytes by antigen-presenting cells expressing H protein or pulsed with H-protein-derived peptides. We have also shown that boosting with antigen-specific anti-idiotypic B cells generates a memory response in antigen-primed mice. Evidence has been provided for the existence of an antigen-specific B-cell idiotypic network in the body that supports the perpetuation of immunological memory as proposed in the relay hypothesis.

Activated mouse T cells downregulate, process and present their surface TCR to cognate anti-idiotypic CD4+ T cells

The ability of activated T cells to present foreign antigens through the MHC class II pathway has been shown in the case of human, rat and mouse T cells. In the present study, the ability of activated T cells to present their endogenous TCR in association with MHC class II molecules to CD4+ T cells was shown. Upon activation mouse T cells downregulate their surface TCR, which are degraded into peptides in endosomal/lysosomal compartments. The idiopeptides (peptides derived from the variable region of the TCR) are presented to cognate anti-idiotypic CD4+ T cells, resulting in activation and proliferation of these cells. Interaction of idiotypic and anti-idiotypic T cells brought about by presentation of TCR idiopeptide may have important implications for T-cell vaccination and perpetuation of T-cell memory not requiring persisting antigen or long-lived memory cells.

Recombinant idiotypic TCRβ chain immunization in mice generates antigen specific T cell response

Vaccination remains the most cost-effective means of preventing infectious diseases. Success of vaccination depends on generation of effective memory response. Understanding the mechanism of generation and maintenance of immunological memory would help in the design of rational vaccines. T lymphocytes play a central role in the generation of protective immune response against many microbial infections. A hypothesis known as relay hypothesis was earlier proposed, which explains the maintenance of immunological memory through interaction of idiotypic and anti-idiotypic lymphocytes. In the present study, we have shown that immunization with a model antigen, chicken ovalbumin specific T cell receptor beta chain (idiotypic TCR) generates TCR specific antibody and anti-idiotypic T cell responses as well as ovalbumin specific T cell response. We further show that boosting of ovalbumin primed mice with ovalbumin specific idiotypic TCRbeta DNA or TCRbeta protein gives memory response for ovalbumin. This study provides experimental evidence for perpetuation of immunological memory through idiotypic network interactions.

Autoantigen complementarity: a new theory implicating complementary proteins as initiators of autoimmune disease

Autoimmune diseases affect approximately 1 in 21 persons in the United States. Treatment often requires long-term cytotoxic therapy. How and why these deleterious diseases occur is unclear. A serendipitous finding in our laboratory using serum from patients with autoimmune vasculitis led us to develop the theory of autoantigen complementarity, a novel concept that may elucidate the etiological and pathogenetic mechanisms underlying autoimmune disease in general. The theory proposes that the inciting immunogen that elicits a cascade of immunological events is not the self-antigen (the autoantigen) or its mimic but rather a protein that is complementary in surface structure to the autoantigen; that is, a protein homologous or identical to the amino acid sequence of translated antisense RNA from the noncoding strand of the autoantigen gene. The cascade begins when this complementary protein initiates the production of antibodies that in turn elicit an anti-antibody or anti-idiotypic response. These anti-idiotypic antibodies can now react with the autoantigen. Strikingly, homology search of complementary proteins yields microbial and fungal proteins, thus indicating that invading micro-organisms can deliver the inciting immunogen. Curiously, approximately 50% of our patients transcribe the complementary protein's antisense RNA. If it transpires that these aberrant RNAs are translated, the complementary protein would be produced by the individual. Here we review published research investigating complementary proteins, anti-idiotypic immune responses, and antisense transcripts, all of which support complementary proteins as initiators of autoimmune disease. In addition, we provide possible microbial and/or fungal organisms that may incite some of the most studied autoimmune diseases. Lastly, we propose mechanisms by which cell-mediated autoimmunity can be triggered by autoantigen complementarity. Based on our data and the contributions of the researchers described in this review, identification of proteins complementary to autoantigens is likely to be informative in most autoimmune diseases. This vein of study is in the early phases; however, we expect "autoantigen complementarity" is an underlying mechanism in many autoimmune diseases.

Idiotype and anti-idiotype specific T cell responses on transplantation with hybridomas reactive to viral hemagglutinin and human tumor antigen

B cell hybridomas expressing class I and II MHC molecules and producing antibodies directed against hemagglutinin protein of Rinderpest virus and human Mucin-1 have been used as surrogate B cells to study T cell responses against the antigens. The observed CTL and lymphoproliferative response indicates that anti-idiotypic B cells termed Jerne cells stimulate both T helper and T cytotoxic cells by virtue of their ability to present recycled or regurgitated peptido-mimics of antigen to T helper cells through class II MHC and de novo synthesized peptido-mimics of antigens to CTLs. Thus, T cell memory response can be perpetuated by anti-idiotypic Jerne B cells and these findings lend support to the earlier proposed relay hypothesis for perpetuation of immunological memory (IM).