Lymphocyte transformation induced by autologous cells. XV. Xenoantigens are not required for the proliferative response observed in the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction

The autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction is the proliferative response of T cells cultured with autologous non-T cells. This reaction has been described as being immunological in nature, i.e., possessing memory and specificity. The generation of T cells with regulatory and effector function has also been reported during the course of this reaction. More recently it has been reported that the proliferative response observed is due to the exposure of T cells to xenoantigens used in separating T and non-T cells. We have found that the presence of antigens such as sheep erythrocytes and fetal calf serum is not required for the induction of proliferation in T cells by autologous non-T cells, although exposure to such antigens may augment [3H]thymidine incorporation. In certain individuals who are sensitized to these xenogeneic antigens, the proliferative response of their lymphocytes in the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction is very greatly enhanced if exposed to xenoantigens.