An Evaluation of the Normal Lymphocyte Transfer Test in Man*

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Abstract
Lymphocytes or purified suspensions of other cells from the blood of normal or immune subjects were injected into human volunteers. The effects of variations in the immunological status of donor and recipient upon the lymphocyte transfer test for histocompatibility were followed. Immunization of the cell donor does not increase the reactivity of the injected cells, and immunization of the recipient tends to decrease the intensity and duration of the reaction. Host factors are important in man. Normal recipients will react against polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) or frozen and thawed lymphocytes. Reactions against these immunologically incompetent targets may be well developed within 24 hours of injection. Since cell- free plasma and autologous cell controls were negative, reactions against PMN are considered to be an expression of a host versus graft response. A depressed reactivity was observed in patients with carcinoma of the lung. PMN and platelets from normal subjects and some lymphocyte suspensions from patients have a more restricted range of reactivity than normal lymphocytes. This suggests antigenic deficiencies in these cells. The lymphocyte transfer test, while apparently valid as a test for histocompatibility in the guinea pig, is complicated in man by poor reproducibility, by host reactions against the injected cells, and possibly by a state of natural immunity against some leukocyte antigens.