[Macrophage migration inhibition by T-cells in rats after overcoming natural tolerance to alpha fetoprotein]

Cellular immunity to alpha-fetoprein (AFP) was studied in rats by the macrophage migration inhibition (MMI) test after breakage of tolerance to homologous AFP of rat (RAFP). A single injection of cross-reacting AFP of mouse (MAFP) has induced the capacity of peritoneal exudate cells of rats to react in the MMI test to both MAFP and RAFP. The second injection of MAFP results in reduction of the MMI reaction to both antigens and the appearance of stimulation in the macrophage migration together with further elevation of antibody titer to MAFP and RAFP. The fractionation of rat peritoneal cells has shown the T-cell nature of MMI reaction to both MAFP and RAFP.