| Summary: | The role of macrophages in the induction of helper cells in vitro was investigated. Using either soluble or particulate antigens, macrophages were found to be essential. This was true regardless of the anatomical source of the T cells (spleen, lymph node or the cortisone resistant pool of the thymus), or of the method of macrophage depletion, (adherence to polystyrene or nylon wool, or by the use of carbonyl iron). There were some differences, however, depending on the physical nature of the antigen used. With soluble antigen, 2-mercaptoethanol or allogeneic macrophages would not overcome the macrophage deficit, whereas they did with particulate antigen. The nature of the interaction between macrophages and T cells was investigated using flasks with double chambers, separated by a nucleopore membrane with 0.2 μm pores. Since there was effective interaction, contact between T cells and macrophages is not essential for helper cell induction. © 1975.
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