Activation of T-lymphocyte helper function by brief exposure to antigen-pulsed macrophages

In this report we investigated the ability of macrophage-associated OVA to stimulate purified OVA-immune T-lymphocytes to produce nonspecific helper activity for antibody production. T-cell activation required only a brief contact between the antigen-pulsed macrophages and T-lymphocytes and was maximal after a 4-hr contact. T-cell activation occurred at 37 but not at 4 degrees C, indicating that the macrophages and/or lymphocytes must be metabolically active for efficient activation. In addition, we compared the ability of antigen-pulsed syngeneic or allogeneic macrophages to activate T-cells for helper function.