[T-cell subpopulations in mixed lymphocyte cultured. Model of T-cell interactions]

The present studies have shown that two subpopulations of thymus-dependent lymphocytes may act synergisticaly in the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) in the mouse. One subpopulation was well represented in the young adult thymus and the other in lymph nodes. For optimum synergy, both populations must be allogeneic to the stimulator cells. Pretreatment of either population with mitomycin-C abolished synergy. In a cinetic study lymph node cells were proliferating before thymus cells. A mixture of thymus and lymph node cells (4:1) demonstrated a proliferation pattern like pure lymph node cells. Possibly, in MLC 3 cell types react, a T1- and T2-cell triggered by LD-antigens and a T-effector cell triggered by SD-antigens. These different T-cell subpopulations may interact in MLC.