Lymphokine production in primary mixed lymphocyte reactions. I. Characteristics of responding and stimulating cells.

ABSTRACT

The characteristics of the responder and stimulating cells involved in migration inhibition factor (MIF) production in primary 'one-way' mouse mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) were analyzed by using an indirect agarose droplet assay. T-lymphocytes are mainly responsible for MIF release, as shown by pretreatment with anti-Thy 1.2 serum plus complement or purification over a nylon wool column. On the other hand, macrophages and B-lymphocytes appear to be optimal stimulating cells. T-lymphocytes as stimulating cells induce MIF release, but to a much lesser degree than macrophages and B-lymphocytes. The kinetics of MIF production in MLR is related to the kind of stimulating cells employed. Lastly, the ability to release MIF is already present in the spleen of 1- to 2-week-old mice, lasts until 20 weeks of age and declines to undetectable levels at 50 weeks of age.