Lymphocyte–Macrophage Interactions and Macrophage Activation in the Expression of Antimicrobial Immunity in Vivo

Abstract

Theoretically, macrophage activation in one form or another is essential for recovery from any infectious disease in which the agent can survive or multiply within normal macrophages. This chapter discusses lymphocyte–macrophage interactions that lead to macrophage activation. It presents the concept that antigen presentation on cell membranes, or antigen presented in some manner controlled by genes within major histocompatibility systems, is mandatory for efficient induction of effector T cells leading to a cell mediated immunity response. The concept is supported by a limited amount of data from experimental systems involving infection of mice with lymphocytic choriomengitis or ectromelia ..