The immunosuppressive effect of an alpha globulin fraction isolated from normal human plasma is described. The administration of this material to rats suppressed both the primary and secondary antibody responses against sheep erythrocytes. Alpha globulin also depressed the ability of mice spleen cells to confer immunity to irradiated isologous recipients. The in vitro addition of alpha globulin to mouse peritoneal leucocytes (MPL) and whole human blood caused a significant reduction of their phagocytic activity against bacteria. The mode of action of alpha globulin in relation to its immunosuppressive activity is discussed. |