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Role of macrophages in in vitro induction of T-helper cells

Nature volume 254, pages 352–354 (1975)Cite this article

An Erratum to this article was published on 26 June 1975

Abstract

MACROPHAGES are of importance in the initiation of immune responses, both in vitro1 and in vivo1,2. Both immune responses involving B cells, such as antibody production3–6, and those involving T cells, such as the lymphocyte transformation7, the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) (refs 8 and 9), and the induction of cytotoxic responses10 require macrophages. Various concepts of macrophage function in immune induction have been suggested. The simplest concept proposed is that macrophages augment lymphocyte survival in vitro11. Although this is one of their functions in vitro, it does not explain fully their role in vitro and especially in vivo. In the induction of antibody responses, two functions were defined, the breakdown of antigens to the appropriate size5 and the presentation of antigen to B cells in an optimally immunogenic manner12. Because the T-cell reactions already studied, such as the MLR, involve ill-defined antigens, the surfaces of living cells, even less is known about the mechanisms of macrophage function in the stimulation of T cells than of B cells.

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Author notes

  1. PETER ERB

    Present address: Institut for Microbiology of University of Basel, Peterplatz 10, CH—4000, Basel, Switzerland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Imperial Cancer Research Fund, Tumour Immunology Unit, Department of Zoology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1, UK

    PETER ERB & MARC FELDMANN

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  1. PETER ERB
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  2. MARC FELDMANN
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ERB, P., FELDMANN, M. Role of macrophages in in vitro induction of T-helper cells. Nature 254, 352–354 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/254352a0

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