Analysis of responding lymphocyte subsets in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte cultures in the neonates and adults

An analysis of proliferating cell subsets in the allogeneic mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) in adults (n = 19) and newborns (n = 12) was performed by a method combining immunoperoxidase staining and autoradiography. The main cell type responding in adult cells were OKT8-positive (38%), whereas in neonates OKT4-positive cells (31%) predominated. Furthermore, in the neonatal allogeneic MLC there were significantly more 3H-thymidine incorporating Leu 12-positive B cells than in adults (12% vs 4%).