Study note

Antigen dose and immunological tolerance

THE CONTEXT
Induction and duration of immunological tolerance depend on the dose and repetition of antigen exposure.

Dose-dependent induction

•
Tolerance is not induced below a threshold antigen dose. Further increases in dose increase the duration of tolerance.
•
For certain antigens, both high and low doses induce tolerance, termed high zone and low zone tolerance respectively. Intermediate doses produce immunity instead.

Forms and persistence

•
Felton’s immunological paralysis is a special type of high zone tolerance.
•
The duration of tolerance is variable and can be prolonged by repeated tolerogenic stimuli.
Explore this chapter
NEETx
Learn. Practise. Remember.