Induction of suppressor T cells by monoclonal anti-idiotope antibody in strains of mice not expressing the idiotope in hyperimmune serum.

A monoclonal antibody, reactive with an idiotope present on some but not all A/J anti-azobenzenearsonate antibodies bearing the cross-reactive idiotype, was used to induce suppressor T cells. These cells suppressed the effector phase of the delayed hypersensitivity response to ABA but not to oxazolone. They could be enriched on dishes coated with ABA but not with trinitrophenylated human gamma-globulin, and the enrichment could be blocked by the anti-idiotope. Suppressor activity was also enhanced by first incubating T cells with the anti-idiotope and then collecting immunoglobulin-coated cells on dishes coated with anti-mouse immunoglobulin. The suppressor cells could be induced in A/J and CBA mice, even though hyperimmune CBA mice did not produce antibodies bearing this idiotope.