The synergistic effect of synthetic polynucleotides and mercaptoethanol in amplifying the murine mixed lymphocyte reaction.

Tritiated thymidine incorporation of one-way murine mixed lymphocyte reactions was compared in the presence of mercaptoethanol and/or poly AU. Each of these agents amplified specific responsiveness in this system without altering reaction kinetics and the combined use of these agents enhanced specific thymidine incorporation beyond that achieved by either alone. These agents may be useful in those situations where increased sensitivity of murine mixed lymphocyte reactions is required.