Importance of Dynamic Properties of Idiotopes in Interactions with Anti-Id Antibodies

The concept of fluctuating conformational substates in equilibrium characterizing variable-regions of immunoglobulin idiotypes is discussed in terms of the dynamic properties of idiotopes and their stabilization upon interactions with anti-idiotope antibodies. Uniquely, polyclonal anti-Id antibodies are viewed in cooperative immobilizing interactions with the idiotopes thereby facilitating formation of stable complexes.