INDUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MONOCLONAL ANTIIDIOTYPIC ANTIBODIES TO TICK-BORNE ENCEPHALITIS-VIRUS NEUTRALIZING ANTIBODY

Seven monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-ID MAbs, Ab2) were generated against virus-neutralizing ana hemagglutination-inhibiting monoclonal antibody (Ab1) specific for tick-borne encephalitis (TEE) virus. Six of these anti-ID MAbs inhibited the binding of Abl to the virus antigen, thus classifying these anti-ID antibodies as Ab2 beta or AB2 gamma. Inhibition tests with heterologous anti-TBE sera revealed that these anti-ID MAbs were not recognized by anti-TEE antibodies and therefore they do not carry an internal image of TEE virus antigen. Hence, the anti-ID MAbs may be classified as Ab2 gamma type. None of the anti-1D MAbs induced production of antiviral antibodies nor protective immunity in syngeneic Balb/c mice. Using these anti-ID MAbs four nonoverlapping idiotopes were identified on Ab1 variable region.