Further Studies on the Mixed Leukocyte Reaction in Multiple Sclerosis and Various Arthritides

Abstract

The mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) is impaired in multiple sclerosis and certain arthritides, notably rheumatoid arthritis. The present study shows that this phenomenon is not disease‐Specific: cells from patients with multiple sclerosis react poorly also with cells from patients with arthritis. A time study of the reaction excludes the possibility of an initial Strong MLR followed by cell death – a phenomenon sometimes seen in animal experiments. A study of the affect ot patient sera on a two‐way MLR between normal individuals shows that a small depressive effect is present with the patient sera, but this is not of the magnitude that it can explain the MLR impairment under study.

Inhibition of mixed leukocyte culture responses by serum and γ‐globulin fractions from certain patients with connective tissue disorders

“…These results have recently been confirmed by Hedberg and coworkers (2) in similar studies involving patients with other rheumatic diseases including systemic lupus (SLE) and psoriatic arthritis. In addition, impairment of mixed leukocyte reactions among patients with acute rheumatic fever has also been recorded (3).…”

“…The other member of the cultured pair (responder) is untreated and, in response to the antigenic stimulus of a foreign or otherwise incompatible stimulating leukocyte, is capable of cell division and proliferation measurable by incorporation of labeled thymidine after 7 days of zn vitro culture. The details of this test system have been previously described (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). In an attempt to detect possible serum blocking or cellsuppressive materials, mixed leukocyte cultures between two normal nonrelated human donors were used in the assay.…”

Synovial fluid lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis

“…Evidence for lymphocyte dysfunction in RA is slowly accumulating, and abnormalities in mitogen and mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) responses have been reported (38)(39)(40). I n interpreting these results it is essential to know the relative numbers of available T cells, which are the major if not the only responding cells in these systems (38,39). For example the mi togen unresponsiveness of lymphocytes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia may relate primarily to a dilutional effect secondary to monoclonal B-cell proliferation (41).…”

Two-Step Leukocyte Migration in Agarose Technique

“…Leukocytes were washed three times by centrifu gation in Parker 199 culture medium (SBL; Stock holm) and were then suspended in a culture medi um consisting of 20°/o human blood donor serum and 80°/o Parker 199 containing heparin and anti biotics according to Hedberg et al [9]. Cultures were made in conical glass centrifuge tubes at a cell concentration of 2 X 10® cells/ml with saline or antigen added.…”