title: The human autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction. II. Analysis of activation and proliferation.
abstract: In this study, we have used cell cycle analysis as an independent measure of proliferation and the 4F2 marker to enumerate activated T cells. T-cell proliferation increased gradually throughout the 7-day culture. The degree of proliferation correlated very strongly (r = 0 . 827, p less than 10(-4)) with the degree of T-cell activation as demonstrated by the expression of the 4F2 marker. However, many more T cells became activated during the AMLR than were proliferating. Thymidine incorporation correlated well (r = 0.956, p less than 10(-4)) with numbers of proliferating cells as determined by cell cycle analysis. Adherent cells (M phi) induced fewer T cells to express 4F2 and to proliferate than did (B + null) cells. However, proportionately, M phi induced much more activation than proliferation in comparison to (B + null) cells. Additional analyses of cell cycle and the 4F2 marker for activated cells indicated that a very small percentage of responder T cells (less than 1%) respond initially to signals from autologous non-T cells. Moreover, there is a three-day delay before substantial proliferation and activation takes place, providing time for amplification and suppressive regulatory processes. Ultimately, between 5 and 30% of the initial T cells are capable of proliferating in the AMLR and up to 90% of the cells may become activated. Thus, many cells become activated (and are therefore capable of secreting immune regulatory factors or otherwise participating in immune responses) than proliferate. These results provide a basis for analysing defects in the AMLR in association with various disease states.
mesh_terms: D001324:Autoantigens; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002455:Cell Division; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001324:Autoantigens