Immune responses in mice infected with lactic dehydrogenase virus. IV. Functional status of the macrophage during acute LDV infection.

Macrophages from uninfected and lactic dehydrogenase virus (LDV)-infected mice were compared with respect to the affinity and number of their Fc receptors for IgG2a; no differences were found regarding these parameters. When the uptake of DNP-BGG by macrophages from uninfected and acutely LDV-infected mice was compared, again no differences were observed. However, when the per cent membrane-bound DNP-BGG was determined as a function of time after antigen uptake in these two groups, more DNP-BGG was found membrane-bound on the macrophages from the LDV-infected mice, than on uninfected macrophages. In view of the fact that humoral immunity is enhanced during acute LDV infection, these data provide a positive correlation between increased retention of membrane-bound antigen and enhanced humoral immune responses.