Whole-blood culture technique for functional studies of lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens, antigens, and homologous lymphocytes.

Abstract

Abstract A whole-blood culture technique is described for quantitatively evaluating in vitro lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens, antigens, and homologous lymphocytes. When compared to conventional culture methods employing leukocyte concentrates, this technique offers several advantages. It requires much less blood; leukocyte separation and lymphocyte purification procedures are eliminated; supplementation of the medium is not required; longer isotope labeling periods may be employed; reproducibility is better; and cell viability higher. Cost of assays, in supplies and technician time, is substantially less.