title: The role of the macrophage as the stimulator cell in contact sensitivity.
abstract: In this study we examined the requirement for the type of stimulator cell for thymus-derived (T) lymphocyte activation to simple chemical haptens. T cells from picryl chloride-immune guinea pigs were challenged in vitro with various trinitrophenyl (TNP)-conjugated syngeneic stimulator cells and the extent of activation was determined by an increase in DNA synthesis. Hapten-specific T cell activation occurred with TNP-conjugated peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) and purified macrophages but not with TNP-conjugated erythrocytes, thymocytes, or nonadherent lymph node cells or PEC. In addition, T cell activation also occurred with TNP-conjugated guinea pig leukemia cells, but only in the presence of macrophages. Furthermore, it was shown that macrophages were required to process and/or present TNP-conjugated leukemia cell antigens rather than simply providing a growth-promoting function. These results suggest that a macrophage-like stimulator cell is required for hapten-specific T cell activation and that this particular stimulator cell may be important in contact sensitivity.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000276:immunology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006241:Haptens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007942:Leukemia, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D010853:Picryl Chloride / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014301:Trinitrobenzenes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D006241:Haptens; D014301:Trinitrobenzenes; D004247:DNA; D010853:Picryl Chloride