[Role of macrophages in the mechanism of specific entrapment of sensitized lymphocytes in lymph nodes containing antigen].

A study was made of the participation of macrophages in the phenomenon of specific trapping of lymphocytes activated with the antigen in the lymph nodes containing the same antigen. Administration of peritoneal macrophages which phagocytized in vitro sheep erythrocytes (as well as of erythrocytes alone) led to specific trapping of lymphocytes in the regional lymph nodes. Preliminary treatment of macrophages loaded with the antigen with antierythrocytic serum decreased the lymphocyte trapping. A supposition was put forward that lymphocytes with receptors on their surface were bound on the macrophage membrane into which the antigen molecules were incorporated.