Proliferation of naive T lymphocytes and T lymphoblasts in the presence of tissue specific macrophages

In this study the antigen-presenting ability of tissue specific macrophages isolated from bone marrow, spleen, peritoneal cavity and lungs was analyzed. Murine macrophages were isolated by a one-step adherence procedure (for 24 hours) and pretreated with mytomycin C. The antigen-presenting ability of the macrophages was tested in T cell proliferation assays. The ability of macrophages to support antigenspecific proliferation of T lymphoblasts was investigated when sheep red blood cell (SRBC)-specific T blasts were stimulated in vitro by antigen in the presence of different numbers of tissue specific macrophages. On the other hand, the abilities of macrophages to induce proliferation of naïve T cells were analyzed in allogeneic and syngeneic mixed leukocyte reactions (MLRs). It was demonstrated that tissue specific macrophages supported antigen specific proliferation of T lymphoblasts in vitro. They also induced the activation of allogeneic and syngeneic T cells. Increasing the number of macrophages co-cultured with T cells, led to a certain inhibitory effect on T cell proliferation