Figure 6.

Hapten-specific CD40L-activated B cells are comparable to DC in their ability to present hapten–protein to antigen naive, primary T cells. CD40L-activated B cells and DCs were pulsed with 1 μg/ml NP-CGG, washed extensively, irradiated, and cultured for 36 hr with T cells from PBS/CFA-treated mice. ³H-Thymidine was added and c.p.m. incorporation determined 18–20 hr thereafter. Data are presented as means from three independent cultures of each APC (³H-thymidine incorporation in the presence of peptide –³H-thymidine incorporation in the absence of peptide) ± SE. Significant difference relative to responses generated with NP-CGG pulsed CD40L-activated B cells expanded from control mice, *P < 0·005.