Experience and Capabilities with Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction

 Xeno Diagnostics has been performing Mixed Lymphocyte Reactions for various clients for over a decade. Due to the differing needs of each client, we have experience with many different applications, endpoints, cell types, and species. We have multiple programs in place for sourcing test cells, depending on the need of our clients.

  • In drug discovery: in vitro screening of pharmaceutical effects on MLR proliferation or cytokine release.
  • In immunotoxicology: in vitro screening for potential drug effects on cell mediated immunity.
  • In transplantation: tolerance induction in mismatched tissue transplants in human and animal models.
  • Proliferation: Lymphocyte proliferative response is quantitated by measuring the incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) into cells via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). 
  • Cytokine Release: The secretion of cytokines in Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction cultures can be monitored by measuring the concentration of individual or multiple cytokines in the cell supernatants. Each cytokine of interest can be analyzed individually by a traditional ELISA procedure, or a panel of cytokines may be analyzed simultaneously via a multiplex assay.

Xeno has worked with the following cell types when performing Mixed Lymphocyte Reactions / co-culture assays:

  • Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC’s)
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC’s)
  • Dendritic Cells (DC’s)
  • T-cells, and T-cell subsets (e.g. CD4+, CD8+)
  • Biomaterials (e.g. tendon, bone, graft tissue, skin, etc.)
  • Endothelial Cells
  • Cardiomyocytes

Xeno has performed Mixed Lymphocyte Reactions / co-culture assays with cells and tissues from the following species:

  • Human
  • Non-human Primate (Chinese Cyno, Vietnamese Cyno, Baboon)
  • Murine (Mouse)
  • Porcine (Pig)
  • Bovine (Cow)
  • Canine (Dog)
  • Rattus (Rat)
  • Feline (Cat)
  • Capra (Goat)

To facilitate our clients’ research, Xeno has developed its own bio-repository of cryopreserved cells. We have also established relationships with vendors for both human (normal and disease state), and animal cells and tissues. Our programs include:

  • IRB Approved Consented Blood Donor Program – We have an in-house human blood donor program that allows us to perform repeated blood sampling from the same individual over time. This is important in cases where there is individual selectivity in responses to pharmacological or immunological agents. A portion of these donors have been HLA typed. 
  • Human Donor Buffy Coat Program – Xeno Diagnostics also works with our local blood bank to use the discarded buffy coats from donor units as a source of peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) or granulocytes for client studies. Obtaining cells from this source is less expensive than those obtained via our IRB Approved Donor Program. Another advantage is that larger quantities of PBMC or granulocytes can be obtained from a single donor which can subsequently be cryopreserved for use in other studies.
  • Animal Cell Sourcing – We have several preferred vendors for readily obtaining blood, cells, and other products from various laboratory animal species.