[Effect of tonsillar macrophages on several immune functions]

Effect of tonsillar macrophages on IL2 responsiveness of T cells, IFN production, T cell proliferation and NK cell activity was studied. Human tonsillar mononuclear cells (TMNC) were purified by a two-step procedure which included depletion of plastic-adherent cells and rosetting with sheep blood cells. The production of IFN by enriched T cells (ETC) and IL2 responsiveness of ETC deprived of macrophages were decreased, whereas T cell proliferation in response to PHA stimulation, and NK cell activity in ETC were enhanced. These results imply that the IL2 responsiveness, IFN production, T cell proliferation and NK cell activity in ETC are influenced by macrophages.