Clonal Priming of Lymphocytes Can Measure Human Immune-Response Gene Function

Abstract

To the Editor: A population of lymphocytes specifically responsive to an antigen can be produced by in vitro incubation with the antigen. Such a "primed" population of lymphocytes will respond not only to the incubating antigen, but also, to a lesser degree, with related cross-reactive antigens.¹ Table 1 shows that lymphocyte populations from two dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-sensitized subjects primed to a dinitrophenyl (DNP) antigen each respond best to their own DNBSO₃ (DNP)-treated leukocytes. Comparison of the two donors (A.L. and T.J.) show that the same functionally active DNP presenter leukocytes and responder lymphocytes do not show response in the opposite combination (T.J. . . .