MACROPHAGE FUNCTIONS DURING DENGUE VIRUS-INFECTION - ANTIGENIC-STIMULATION OF B-CELLS

  • 1 November 1987
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 62  (3) , 493-498
Abstract
This study was undertaken to investigate the function of dengue type 2 virus (DV)-infected mouse peritoneal macrophages (M.vphi.) regarding the antigenic stimulation of B lymphocytes of the spleen. It was observed that a variable proportion of M.vphi. show DV-specific immunofluorescent antigen, which depended upon the route of administration of the virus, being higher in i.p.-inoculated mice and in vitro-infected M.vphi. monolayers. The DV-infected M.vphi. presented the DV antigen to B cells in vitro and in vitro, leading to their clonal expansion as shown by counting the virus-specific IgM antibody plaque-forming cells (PFC). The PFC response depended upon the number of DV-infected M.vphi.. The antigen was presented equally well both by I-A-negative and I-A-positive M.vphi.. Superimposition of a heterologous antigen (Coxsackie B4 virus) in a Mackaness type of experiment depressed the capactiy of M.vphi. to present both the homologous as well as heterologous antigen.