B CELL TOLERANCE .1. ANALYSIS OF HAPTEN-SPECIFIC UNRESPONSIVENESS INDUCED INVITRO IN ADULT AND NEONATAL MURINE SPLEEN-CELL POPULATIONS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 119  (6) , 2054-2059
Abstract
The cellular mechanisms and tolerogen dose requirements of hapten-specific unresponsiveness induced in vitro by using 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl human .gamma.-globulin (TNP17HgG) were analzyed in adult and neonatal murine splenocytes. Tolerance induction in both cell populations was be independent of non-B [bone marrow-derived] cell effects, including BA .theta. [brain antigen .theta.]-positive cells, Ly 2.2-positive cells, adding or reducing the number of macrophages, and large excesses of HgG. The tolerance induced was specific and not infectious, further excluding a role for suppressor T [thymus-derived] cells. Neonatal splenic B cells were rendered tolerant by doses of TNP17HgG 1000-fold less than those required to produce similar tolerance in splenic B cells from adults. Functional clonal abortion apparently exist as a mechanism for producing tolerance to self antigens.