A study of the 'termination' of tolerance to BSA with DNP-BSA in rabbits: relative affinities of the antibodies for the immunizing and the paralysing antigens.

Abstract

Rabbits rendered immunologically tolerant to BSA produced antibodies capable of precipitating BSA following immunization with DNP—BSA. Antigen binding studies using purified `anti-BSA' antibodies produced by tolerant animals indicated that these antibodies bound DNP—BSA with far greater avidity than BSA. It was concluded that a true termination of tolerance had not occurred. The implications of the results with regard to induction of antibody formation and of tolerance are discussed.