Desensitization. III: The role of lymphokines in the maintenance of the anergic state during desensitization.
Desensitization with respect to cellular immunity can be achieved by the systemic administration of large doses of antigen. We have demonstrated two patterns of reactivity during the desensitized state. Early in desensitization, the animal is hyporesponsive to both antigen and preformed lymphokine (skin reactive factor, SRF). In the later period, the animal can respond normally to preformed lymphokine while remaining poorly responsive to antigen. In addition, when inflammatory cells (macrophages and neutrophils) from desensitized animals are examined, those obtained early show diminished reactivity to a variety of chemotactic stimuli. Their capacity to so respond recovers later, during a period in which the state of desensitization persists. We have also found that nonspecific desensitization can be inhibited by L-fucose, an agent known to suppress lymphokine-dependent reactions. These observations, in conjunction with previous reports of serum lymphokine activity early in desensitization, are consistent with a two-stage mechanism for desensitization.
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D005643:Fucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007114:Immunization; D007700:Kinetics; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests
D000941:Antigens; D008222:Lymphokines; D005643:Fucose