Induction and amplification of T-lymphocyte proliferative responses to periodate and soybean agglutinin by human adult vascular endothelial cells.

Human mononuclear phagocyte (M phi) populations were compared to adult human endothelial cells (HEC) for their respective abilities to influence the proliferative responses of purified human T lymphocytes to the mitogenic agents Na-m-periodate (IO-4), soybean agglutinin (SBA), or allogeneic cells. HEC and M phi were both capable of inducing proliferative responses of allogeneic T lymphocytes in mixed-lymphocyte culture. Under low cell density culture conditions, purified T-lymphocyte proliferative responses to IO-4 or SBA could be restored by addition of syngeneic M phi or HEC. At higher cell density culture conditions, proliferation of T cells to IO-4 could be amplified more by HEC than M phi. T-lymphocyte proliferative responses to SBA were amplified by addition of HEC but were suppressed by addition of M phi. These findings indicate that human adult HEC are unique and potent accessory cells for T lymphocytes. Furthermore, these findings demonstrate that accessory cell functions of HEC can be discriminated from those of M phi.