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The developmental biology of the syngeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction
The syngeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (SMLR) is the proliferative response of T lymphocytes cultured with non-T lymphocytes. Normal mouse serum supports proliferative activity in the SMLR comparable to levels observed when fetal calf serum is used. Thus, the SMLR does not appear to be a response to xenogeneic antigens. The ontogeny and senescence of the SMLR was also studied. The SMLR is impaired in mice less than 4 weeks of age but attains adult levels of activity at 4 weeks of age. The SMLR is also impaired in 24-month-old mice. These impairments were observed regardless of the source of serum used in the cultures. Finally, monoclonal antibodies have been developed which identify a subpopulation of spleen cells which respond in the SMLR. In indirect immunofluorescence these antibodies stain 50-80% of cells activated in the SMLR, but only 5-8% of spleen cells or cells activated in the allogeneic MLR. These antibodies block the proliferative response in the SMLR but do not interfere with the response to alloantigens or PHA.
The syngeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (SMLR) is the proliferative response of T lymphocytes cultured with non-T lymphocytes. Normal mouse serum supports proliferative activity in the SMLR comparable to levels observed when fetal calf serum is used. Thus, the SMLR does not appear to be a response to xenogeneic antigens. The ontogeny and senescence of the SMLR was also studied. The SMLR is impaired in mice less than 4 weeks of age but attains adult levels of activity at 4 weeks of age. The SMLR is also impaired in 24-month-old mice. These impairments were observed regardless of the source of serum used in the cultures. Finally, monoclonal antibodies have been developed which identify a subpopulation of spleen cells which respond in the SMLR. In indirect immunofluorescence these antibodies stain 50-80% of cells activated in the SMLR, but only 5-8% of spleen cells or cells activated in the allogeneic MLR. These antibodies block the proliferative response in the SMLR but do not interfere with the response to alloantigens or PHA.