Absence of a significant mixed lymphocyte reaction in a marsupial (Monodelphis domestica)

Previously we reported preliminary results suggesting that the marsupial Monodelphis domestica fails to exhibit a mixed lymphocyte reaction with allogeneic lymphocytes. To test whether this observation is simply a matter of a response too weak to detect, but capable of being augmented by immunization, we performed mixed lymphocyte culture tests on 23 of these animals that had been immunized with lymphocytes. Despite the fact that all recipients were sensitized to the lymphocytes of the donors, none of the animals had a substantial mixed lymphocyte response. Significant stimulation was noted with the mitogen concanavalin A; thus, the T cells were immunologically competent. It seems likely that the failure of this species to exhibit a significant mixed lymphocyte response is due to T cells whose ontogeny differs from that of the T cells of eutherian mammals.