Immune response to phosphorylcholine—V

It was recently shown that complement can dissociate BSA-anti-BSA immune complexes (Miller, 1977). In the present study we have formed specific complexes of idiotype and anti-idiotype. The idiotype used was the phosphorylchotine-binding Balb/c myeloma protein, HOPC-8, and the anti-idiotype was raised against purified HOPC-8 protein in A/J mice. Idiotypic complexes were prepared in either of 2 ways: (1) HOPC-8 protein was immobilized in test tubes and allowed to bind purified radiolabeled anti-idiotype. (2) Anti-idiotype was immobilized in test tubes and allowed to bind purified labeled HOPC-8 protein. Then both types of immobilized idiotypic complex were incubated with fresh or heat-inactivated rabbit serum at 37°C. The dissociation of either labeled idiotype or anti-idiotype was measured as a function of time. Active complement increased the rate und extent of dissociation of the idiotypic complex regardless of whether the idiotype or the anti-idiotype was immobilized.