[Mechanism of the suppression of the formation of immunologic memory]

An extract from splenocytes of mice immunized with sheep red blood cells contains suppressor factor (SF) that specifically inhibits the primary immune response. The system of adoptive transfer was studied for the action of the SF on the formation of immunologic memory for sheep and rat blood cells. It was established that the SF carrying a receptor for specific antigen causes nonspecific suppression of the generation of immunologic memory cells. Within the system in question radioresistant T helper cells act as suppression targets. It is suggested that the final effect of the SF lies in the inhibition of the release of transmitters promoting differentiation or proliferation of T memory cells.