Neonatally induced tolerance to HGG: duration in B cells and absence of specific suppressor cells.

A specific, long lasting, tolerant state to human gamma-globulin (HCG) was established in neonatal A/J mice. These suckling mice received the tolerogen in the colostrum of their mother who had been injected with DHGG. The tolerant state could not be accounted for by "factors" other than HGG in the colostrum. The duration of this tolerance in the intact animal and in the B cell population was 16 to 18 weeks. Naturally occuring nonspecific suppressor cells were evident but specific suppressor cells could not be demonstrated. These results are discussed in relation to possible mechanisms of the induction of tolerance to self.