TRANSPLANTATION STUDIES OF STRONG AND WEAK HISTOCOMPATIBILITY BARRIERS IN MICE. II. TOLERANCE

Abstract

Using coisogenie strains of mice, differing only by weak histocompatibility factors, long-lasting tolerance was induced in adult animals by the injection of spleen cells. The interrelationship between tolerance and immunity was explored and a theory proposed based upon the induction or selection of “preimmune” host lymphoid cells that have some degree of specificity for the antigen. It is suggested that these cells, representing an early step in the direction of immunity, are vulnerable to suppression or destruction by excessive doses of antigen.