Described are methods for: (a) suppressing the ability of T-cells from a mammal to proliferate in response to stimulation by nonself mammalian tissue; and (b) suppressing immune response which leads to allograft rejection in a mammal receiving an allograft from a donor mammal. The methods involve orally administering to the mammal to be thus treated a composition comprising at least one of: (i) a major histocompatibility complex Class II antigen from a second nonself mammal or from tissue of a mammal syngeneic to said nonself mammal; (ii) at least one synthetic peptide corresponding to a T-cell suppressive fragment of said Class II antigen, said composition being administered in an amount effective to suppress said proliferation. The foregoing compositions are also described.