Transformation of a Histocompatibility Immunogen into a Tolerogen

H-2 antigens on spleen cell membranes absorb antibody to H-2 antigens and induce both humoral and cellular responses. Liver cell membrane H-2 antigens by contrast also absorb antibody but do not influence cellular response and are tolerogenic for the humoral response. This paper demonstrates that syngeneic liver cells contain a substance which can transform the properties of allogeneic spleen cell membranes into those of allogeneic liver cell membranes, i.e., transform a humoral immunogen into a humoral tolerogen. The process appears to be accompanied by cleavage of an antigen component from the spleen membrane and hence to result in a structural change in the H-2 antigen.