Study note
MicrobiologyImmune Response

Antigen dose and immunological paralysis

THE CONTEXT
The antibody response depends on antigen dose, with different effects at low, optimal and excessive doses.

Dose–response relationship

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An antigen is effective only above a minimum critical dose.
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Further increases toward an optimal dose enhance the intensity of the antibody response.
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Beyond a certain level, increasing the antigen dose does not improve the antibody response.

Excess antigen and tolerance

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An excessive antigen dose may inhibit the antibody response and induce tolerance. This phenomenon is called immunological paralysis.
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