Idiotype

In immunology, an idiotype is a shared characteristic between a group of immunoglobulin or T-cell receptor (TCR) molecules based upon the antigen binding specificity and therefore structure of their variable region.They define the surface and properties of the variable region, determining the antigen specificity and therefore the idiotope of the molecule.The term "idiotype" is sometimes used to describe the collection of multiple idiotopes, and therefore overall antigen binding capacity, possessed by an antibody.The word "idiotype" became influential in immunology when Niels Jerne formulated his immune network theory.Jerne was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1984 largely for being the father of immune network theory.
The idiotype is based upon the variable region (labeled VL and VH in the diagram.)
immunologyimmunoglobulinT-cell receptorantigenvariable regionT cellsB cellscomplementarity-determining regionsamino acididiotopeNiels Jerneimmune network theoryNobel Prize in Physiology or MedicineepitopeparatopeAllotype (immunology)Isotype (immunology)Medical Subject HeadingsMedical University of South CarolinaSouthern Illinois University CarbondaleLymphocyticadaptive immune systemcomplementSuperantigenAllergenAntigenic variationHaptenLinearConformationalMimotopeAntigen presentationprofessional APCsDendritic cellMacrophageB cellImmunogenAntibodyMonoclonal antibodiesPolyclonal antibodiesAutoantibodyMicroantibodyPolyclonal B cell responseAllotypeIsotypeImmune complexImmunityAutoimmunityAlloimmunityAllergyHypersensitivityInflammationCross-reactivityCo-stimulationToleranceCentralPeripheralClonal anergyClonal deletionTolerance in pregnancyImmunodeficiencyImmune privilegeImmunogeneticsAffinity maturationSomatic hypermutationClonal selectionV(D)J recombinationJunctional diversityImmunoglobulin class switchingLymphocytesCellularT cellHumoralNK cellCytokinesOpsoninCytolysin