Accessory cell function of cells isolated from Mycobacterium leprae-induced granulomas.

The large cells from Mycobacterium leprae-induced granulomas in guinea pig lymph nodes were separated by Percoll discontinuous density gradient centrifugation and on a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) using cross-reacting monoclonal antibody to human MHC Class II antigens. Large Percoll-separated cells (83% Class II antigen positive and 52% macrophage-specific antigen positive) and FACS-separated cells are able to act as antigen-presenting cells for T-cell proliferation to PPD. In previous studies, macrophage antigen-positive cells consistently failed to act as accessory cells. This indicates that there is a population of accessory cells which are macrophage antigen negative and MHC Class II antigen positive present in these M. leprae-induced granulomas.