Numerical and functional characteristics of lymphocyte subsets in centenarians

The immune system in the aged is a very interesting subject for study. In this study, analysis was extended to extrathymic T cells as well as NK cells and "conventional" T cells (i.e., thymus-derived T cells) in terms of their constitution and function in both healthy and unhealthy centena...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of clinical immunology 1997-09, Vol.17 (5), p.420-429
Main Authors: MIYAJI, C, WATANABE, H, MINAGAWA, M, TOMA, H, KAWAMURA, T, NOHARA, Y, NOZAKI, H, SATO, Y, ABO, T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aging - immunology
Biological and medical sciences
CD56 Antigen - metabolism
CD57 Antigens - metabolism
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology
Cell Division
Cell Size
Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic
Female
Flow Cytometry
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Fundamental immunology
Humans
Immunobiology
Japan
Killer Cells, Natural - immunology
Lymphocyte Count
Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology
Lymphoid cells: ontogeny, maturation, markers, receptors, circulation and recirculation
Male
Middle Aged
T-Lymphocytes - cytology
T-Lymphocytes - immunology
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Summary:The immune system in the aged is a very interesting subject for study. In this study, analysis was extended to extrathymic T cells as well as NK cells and "conventional" T cells (i.e., thymus-derived T cells) in terms of their constitution and function in both healthy and unhealthy centenarians. Middle-aged persons were used as controls. Healthy and unhealthy centenarians showed lower levels in the proportion and absolute number of lymphocytes. The major change in the constitution of lymphocyte subsets was increased levels in the proportion of NK cells (CD56+/CD57+) and extrathymic T cells (CD3+CD57+). Inversely, conventional T cells decreased in proportion and function (i.e., proliferative response to mitogen). Although NK cells increased in centenarians, NK activity by whole lymphocytes and the purified NK fraction decreased. The difference between healthy and unhealthy centenarians was small in all parameters, the only difference being a lower level of expression of CD56 antigens on CD57+ T cells in unhealthy centenarians. These results indicate that there is a major shift in lymphocyte population from conventional T cells to NK cells and extrathymic T cells with aging. Concerning the age-associated increases in CD56+ T and CD57+ T cells, these cells correspond to NK1+ T cells in mice.
ISSN:0271-9142
1573-2592
DOI:10.1023/a:1027324626199