[In vitro testing of human lymphocytes (author's transl)]

The use of surface markers for the characterization of various lymphocyte subpopulation today belongs to the standard techniques of immunological laboratories. Recently, functional in vitro testing of human lymphocytes has met with increasing interest. In this paper some of the relevant in vitro test systems such as the lymphocyte stimulation test, the determination of the B cell differentiation capacity in vitro and the demonstration of suppressor cell activity are discussed. Apart from a discussion of the results obtained by these techniques in normal, healthy individuals, the applicability of these techniques for studies in patients is dealt with.