Studies of monoclonal antibodies specific for major histocompatibility complex products of the rat. II. Production and characterization of xenogeneic, allogeneic, and syngeneic polyclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies.

Polyclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies against monoclonal antibodies with specificity for RT1-encoded antigens were induced in syngeneic, allogeneic, and xenogeneic hosts. The immune response to the idiotypic determinants on monoclonal antibodies was T-cell-dependent. The anti-idiotypic antibodies, independent of whether they were induced in syngeneic, allogeneic, or xenogeneic (after proper absorption) hosts, showed an exquisite specificity for the monoclonal antibody used for the induction. No cross-reactivity with other monoclonal antibodies could be observed.