Responder T cells depleted of alloreactive cells react to antigen presented on allogeneic macrophages from nonresponder strains.

T cells from strains responder to the antigen poly(Glu40 Ala60) (GA) were depleted of alloreactive cells by bromo-deoxyuridine and light treatment, and were subsequently primed in vitro in GA presented by allogeneic macrophages from nonresponder strains. Antigen-specific secondary proliferative responses restricted by allogeneic Ia molecules of the macrophages were obtained in all strain combinations tested. These data indicate that Ir gene-controlled nonresponsiveness cannot be the result of a failure of antigen presentation.