What is mixed lymphocyte reactions?

Mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLRs) are laboratory tests that measure the compatibility of donor and recipient cells in organ transplantation. MLRs are based on the principle of immune cell recognition and rejection and are widely used in clinical settings for solid-organ and bone marrow transplantation.

In MLRs, donor-derived lymphocytes are mixed with recipient-derived lymphocytes, and the degree of activation and proliferation of these cells is measured. The mix of cells is stimulated with specific antigens to initiate the immune response. The response of T lymphocytes, which induces rejection of foreign tissue, is measured by assessing the production of cytokines or by cell proliferation assays.

MLRs can predict the likelihood of successful organ transplantation by assessing the compatibility of donor and recipient cells before the actual transplant. They can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of immunosuppressive drugs used to suppress rejection.

Moreover, MLRs are used in research to investigate the mechanisms of T cell recognition and allograft rejection and to identify new approaches for preventing allograft rejection. However, MLRs have limitations, such as the variability of cell donors and the lack of standardization, which can lead to inconsistent results.