1 research outputs found
T cells and the humoral immune system
Lymphoid cells and macrophages play an important role in
the development and rnaintance of humoral and cellular immunity
in mammals. The lymphoid cells in the peripheral lymphoid organs
are divided into two major classes: (1) thymus-derived
lymphocytes or T cells and (2) bursa-equivalent-derived
lymphocytes or B cells. Humoral immune responses to most
antigens require interaction between macrophages, T cells and
B cells. Antigen-stimulated T cells do not produce antibodies
but secrete regulatory substances which have a stimulating
or a suppressive effect on the differentiation of antigenstimulated
B cells into antibody-producing plasma cells.
The macrophage plays an important role in this T-B interaction
by concentrating the antigen by endocytosis and presenting
a part of it in a persisting immunogenic form on its cell
membrane. Several aspects of the regulatory influence of the
T cell on the humoral (B) immune system were investigated
in our laboratory and the results of our experiments are
presented in the papers added to this thesis