Immune Suppression in vivo with Antigen-Modified Syngeneic Cells: II. T Cell-Mediated Nonresponsiveness to Fowl γ-Globulin¹

Intravenous administration of syngeneic spleen cells coupled with the palmitoyl derivative of fowl γ-globulin (p-FγG) results in a profound state of FγG-specific tolerance in C57BL/6 mice. Administration of p-FγG coupled syngeneic cells specifically reduces both the primary and secondary hapten and carrier-specific PFC responses to TNP-FγG. Since the haptenic response is affected, the tolerance functions at the level of the FγG-specific helper T cell. As few as 10³ p-FγG spleen cells carrying only 1 ng of p-FγG can induce tolerance. At least a 2-day-induction period is required. This nonresponsiveness is long lived, lasting over 120 days. Spleen cells from tolerized mice can transfer suppression to normal syngeneic recipients. Treatment of tolerant spleens with anti-Thy 1.2 antiserum + C eliminates the suppressor cell activity. In addition, thymocytes and purified splenic T cells from tolerized mice can transfer suppression to normal recipients. Thus, at least a component of this nonresponsiveness is mediated by suppressor T cells. The requirement of antigen association with cell membrane components and the general applicability of this method of inducing T cell nonresponsiveness are discussed.