Evidence that macrophages are programmed to die after activating autologous, cloned, antigen-specific, CD4+ T cells.
The bone marrow produces large numbers of monocytes daily, but the mechanisms balancing production and elimination are unknown. In this report we demonstrate that macrophages (M phi) undergo apoptosis after activating autologous CD4+ cells. Since apoptosis is a genetically programmed response, these results argue that M phi death can be part of a normal immune response. This event may have relevance to monocyte/M phi homeostasis, as well as immune response regulation and host defenses to intracellular organisms.
Richardson
B C
BC
Department of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Buckmaster
T
T
Keren
D F
DF
Johnson
K J
KJ
D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002999:Clone Cells; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004249:DNA Damage; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000276:immunology
D013745:Tetanus Toxoid