title: Accessory cell functions of dendritic cells and macrophages in the thymic T-cell response to Con A.
abstract: Accessory cell (A cell) functions of splenic dendritic cells (DC) and peritoneal macrophages (M phi) were investigated in the Con A-stimulated proliferative response of thymic T cells. DC were more efficient as A cells than M phi in respect of their necessary cell numbers, Con A dose and culture period required for optimal response. Con A-pulsed T cells proliferated with the aid of lymphocyte activating factor(s) (LAF) derived from M phi, even in the apparent absence of A cells. Con A-pulsed M phi were superior to unpulsed M phi in the secretion of LAF to induce a high response of Con A-pulsed T cells. A cell activity of M phi in different preparations appeared to parallel the ability to secrete LAF, and was totally abolished by fixation of M phi with paraformaldehyde. The fixation of DC, however, resulted in only a partial reduction of the A cell activity. These results argue that both DC and M phi can serve as A cells in the T-cell response to Con A, but that the mechanism to manifest A cell activity is somewhat different between DC and M phi.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D003208:Concanavalin A; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D011108:Polymers; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D011108:Polymers; D003208:Concanavalin A; D005557:Formaldehyde; C003043:paraform