Mechanisms of antigen-induced blockade of immune response and cyclophosphamide-promoted tolerance to Salmonella typhi Vi antigen.

Blockade of the immune response, caused by a high dose of Salmonella typhi Vi antigen (200 microgram i.v.) and cyclophosphamide (CY)-induced tolerance to Vi antigen, were analyzed. The results of the study show that blockade of the immune response cannot be attributed to masking of the response resulting from neutralization of antibodies by the excess of non-cell-bound antigen. A high dose of Vi-antigen induced triggering and proliferation of specific B precursors but reversibly suppressed synthesis or secretion of antibody by plaque-forming cells. A single injection of CY (200 mg/kg i.p.) 2 days after a high dose of Vi antigen markedly prolonged the antigen-induced state of unresponsiveness. CY-induced tolerance to Vi antigen is due to elimination or long-term inactivation of specific B precursors. Dissimilarities in the characteristics of immune response blockade and CY-induced tolerance are discussed as well as their possible implications for the mode of action of CY.