Induction of tolerance to nucleic acid determinants by administration of a complex of nucleoside D-glutamic acid and D-lysine (D-GL).

The administration of nucleosides coupled covalently to the copolymer of D-glutamic acid and D-lysine (D-GL) or to its stereoisomer, L-GL, induces a state of nucleoside (NUC)-specific tolerance in inbred SJL and BALB/c mice, irrespective of their immune status at the time of treatment. Such tolerance is characterized by the inability of treated animals to mount either primary or secondary, intact or adoptive, anti-NUC antibody responses following immunization with a highly immunogenic conjugate of NUC-Keyhole limpet hemocyanin. These observations have potential therapeutic importance in autoimmune processes involving anti-DNA antibody production.