In order to study the structural and functional mimicry of an antigen by anti-idiotypic antibodies, we generated anti-idiotopic monoclonal antibodies (anti-Id mAbs) against a mAb (R45-45-11) with specificity for the immunosuppressive cyclic undecapeptide cyclosporine (Cs; Sandimmune). Three out of five anti-Id mAbs inhibited the binding of Cs to the anti-Cs mAb R45-45-11. All anti-Id mAbs cross-reacted only with one (anti-Cs mAb V45-271-10) out of 19 anti-Cs mAbs. The anti-Cs mAb V45-271-10 recognizes an epitope on the Cs molecule which is very similar to that recognized by R45-45-11. R45-45-11 and V45-271-10 differ only by one amino acid in the variable region. The anti-Id mAbs which recognize combining site-associated idiotopes (Ids) reverse the blocking effect of the anti-Cs mAb R45-45-11 on Cs immunosuppression in vitro. The sequences of the variable regions of heavy and light chain of one anti-Id mAb were determined. X-ray analysis of the corresponding Fab fragment, either alone or complexed with the Fab fragment of the Id, is currently in progress.