Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were stimulated in vitro either with Candida albicans polysaccharide extract (MPPS) or with PPD. Both MPPS and PPD driven lymphocyte proliferation was strictly dependent on the presence of macrophages. In fact purified T cells failed to proliferate unless adherent cells were added. The ability of monocytes to produce interleukin-1 (IL-1) was then investigated. Both MPPS and PPD caused the release IL-1 into the culture supernatant, as measured in a direct thymocyte proliferative assay. MPPS and PPD also stimulated the production of IL-1 by the mouse macrophage like line P388D1. These data support the view that the antigen specific activation of human T cells by MPPS and PPD requires both antigen presentation and IL-1 production.