Jerne, Niels K. WORLD OF MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY322•
produced by the B cells also contain antigen-like components
that can attract another antibody (anti-idiotype), allowing one
antibody to recognize another antibody as well as an antigen.
Jerne’s theory expanded on this knowledge, speculating that a
delicate balance of lymphocytes and antibodies and their idio-
types and anti-idiotypes exists in the immune system until an
antigen is introduced. The antigen, he argued, replaces the
anti-idiotype attached to the antibody. The immune system
then senses the displacement and, in an attempt to find the
anti-idiotype a “mate,” produces more of the original anti-
body. This chain-reaction strengthens the body’s immunityto
the invading antigen. Experiments later demonstrated that
immunizationwith an anti-idiotype would stimulate the pro-
duction of the required antibody. It may well be that becauseof Jerne’s network theory, vaccinations of the future will
administer antibodies rather than antigens to bring about
immunity to disease.
Jerne retired to southern France with his wife. A citizen
of both Denmark and Great Britain, Jerne received honorary
degrees from American and European universities, was a for-
eign honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and
Sciences, a member of the Royal Danish Academy of
Sciences, and won, among other honors, the Marcel Benorst
Prize in 1979, and the Paul Ehrlich Prize in 1982.See alsoB cells or B lymphocytes; Immunity, active, passive
and delayed; Immunity, cell mediated; Immunity, humoral
regulation; Immunochemistry; T cells or T lymphocyteswomi_J 5/6/03 3:28 PM Page 322