Effect of macrophage infection by Leishmania on the proliferation of an antigen‐specific T‐cell line, TPB1, to a non‐parasite antigen

The ability of Leishmania mexicana amazonensis to inhibit antigen specific T‐cell proliferation against a non‐parasite polypeptide antigen, poly(LTyr, LGlu)‐poly(DLAla)–poly(LLys), was examined. Infection of mouse peritoneal macrophages by promastigotes blocked the proliferation of the T‐cell line, TPB1. This effect was correlated with the level of parasite infection, and the timing of macrophage infection and antigen addition. Peritoneal macrophages from both BALB/b and C57BL/6 mice showed reduced ability to serve as antigen presenting cells.