Modulation of antibody responses by conjugates of antigens with monomethoxypolyethylene glycol.

The use of tolerogenic conjugates of monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG) and diverse antigens, including xenogeneic monoclonal immunoglobulins, is reviewed with respect to the induction of specific abrogation of antibody responses. Evidence is presented for activation of specific suppressor T (Ts) cells by antigen-mPEG conjugates and for the release of suppressor lymphokines (TsFs) from these cells; both Ts cells and TsFs are able to suppress antigen-specific immune responses on transfer to syngeneic mice. The therapeutic potential of tolerogenic mPEG conjugates is discussed with respect to IgE-mediated allergies and diseases which could be ameliorated by administration of xenogeneic monoclonal antibodies and of their respective immunotoxins, as would be the case for suppression of rejection of organ transplants, localization and destruction of tumors, and in vivo annihilation of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).