Immunologic tolerance is a state in which the individual is incapable of developing an immune response to a specific antigen. Self-tolerance refers to lack of responsiveness to an individual’s own antigens, and it underlies our ability to live in harmony with our cells and tissues.
Several mechanisms, albeit not well understood, have been postulated to explain the tolerant state. They can be broadly classified into two groups: central tolerance and peripheral tolerance. Each of these is considered briefly.
Types
central tolerance
peripheral tolerance