Enhancement of the immune response to hepatitis B surface antigen. In vivo administration of antiidiotype induces anti-HBs that expresses a similar idiotype.

BALB/c mice receiving antiidiotype antibodies before the injection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) generated an enhanced anti-HBs response. Mice given antiidiotype antibodies in a soluble form induced predominantly IgM anti-HBs, whereas alum-precipitated antiidiotype produced primarily IgG anti-HBs. Injection of antiidiotype antibodies alone induced anti-HBs that inhibited a common interspecies anti-HBs idiotype-antiidiotype reaction and recognized the group-specific determinant of HBsAg. These data support the view that antiidiotype antibodies may modulate the immune response to an infectious viral agent.