Stimulation of the primary mixed leukocyte reaction.

Abstract

This article will review the evidence that dendritic cells are specialized stimulator cells for the mixed leukocyte reaction. The topics to be considered are (1) identification of dendritic cells, (2) specialized stimulating capacity of dendritic cells in the allogeneic and syngeneic mixed leukocyte reactions, (3) stimulator cells for the secondary mixed leukocyte reaction, and (4) evidence for a role of dendritic cells during graft rejection in situ.