ANTIIDIOTYPIC MIMICRY OF A NEUTRALIZING EPITOPE ON THE GLYCOPROTEIN-BCOMPLEX OF HUMAN CYTOMEGALOVIRUS

Experiments were carried out to investigate the ability of rabbit anti -idiotype antibodies (Ab2), directed against an anti-human cytomegalov irus monoclonal antibody (Ab1), to induce neutralizing antibodies spec ific for the immunodominant glycoprotein B viral complex. Mice immuniz ed with Ab2 produced anti-Ab2 (Ab3) that was both antigen and idiotype specific with regard to Ab1. We conclude that the Ab2 antibodies mimi cked a neutralizing epitope and acted as a network antigen for inducin g a specific anti-human cytomegalovirus antibody response in this expe rimental system.