Factors influencing the autologous mixed leukocyte reaction in normal subjects

The proliferative response of T cells to autologous non-T cells (autologous mixed leukocyte reaction, AMLR) varies with the duration of incubation as well as the concentration and nature of the stimulator cells. The peak response was generally found on days 6, 7 or 8 of incubation, but with unseparated non-T cells, as well as varying in different individuals this varied in the same individual on different days. Removal of adherent cells from the stimulator population increased the magnitude of the peak response and improved day-to-day consistency both in size of peak response and in the duration of incubation required. Adherent cells were poor stimulators. Some of the variability in AMLR in normals and the differences between normal and disease subjects may relate to inclusion of an adherent cell population in the test and to the use of a fixed time period for incubation.