Lymphocyte stimulation by canine kidney cells.

Abstract

Lymphocyte stimulation in mixed kidney cell-leukocyte cultures (MKLC) has been investigated in a canine model. Canine kidney cells were obtained by perfusion trypsinization. Cultured kidney cells, which appeared to be of epithelial origin by several criteria, have been used as stimulator cells. Maximal stimulation was obtained in the MKLC and mixed leukocyte culture (MLC) at stimulator to responder (S:R) cell ratios of 1:20 and 1 1/2:1, respectively. Lymphocyte proliferation has been observed in cultures with kidney cells in S:R cell ratios lower than 1:20. Stimulation has not been observed in MLCs at these low ratios. The addition of graded numbers of kidney cells of the responder to a one-way MLC inhibited the response gradually. The fact that kidney cells have both strong stimulator capacities and inhibitor capacities could explain the lower optimal S:R ratio. Lymphocyte stimulation has not been obtained in mixed kidney leukocyte cultures between major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-identical closely bred animals. The nature of the antigens present on canine kidney epithelial cells stimulatory to allogeneic lymphocytes is discussed.