TNP-coupled membranes stimulate T cell proliferation via the macrophage

TNP-coupled membranes derived from guinea pig m phi were capable of inducing both primary and secondary antigen-specific T cell proliferative responses; however, effective stimulation by hapten-coupled membranes required the presence of unmodified m phi. A genetic analysis demonstrated that the Ia antigens of the unmodified m phi rather than the Ia antigens borne on the TNP-coupled membranes determined the histocompatibility restrictions on m phi T cell interaction.