Ia-bearing macrophages in athymic mice: antigen presentation and regulation.
Ia-bearing macrophages from spleens and peritoneal cavities of athymic (nu/nu) and euthymic (nu/+) were compared. Macrophages from both strains of mice had equal antigen-presenting ability. The basal numbers of unstimulated Ia-bearing peritoneal macrophages were equal, but only euthymic mice recruited large numbers of Ia-bearing macrophages after Listeria infection. The i.p. injections of a "macrophage Ia-recruiting factor" induced exudates rich in Ia-bearing macrophages in both athymic and euthymic mice. These data suggest 2 levels of control of Ia-bearing macrophages: a basal T cell-independent level and a stimulated level dependent on mature T cells.
D000818:Animals; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D005260:Female; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D008819:Mice, Nude / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013934:Thymectomy
D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II