Specific immune responses but not basal functions of B and T cells are impaired in aged mice

Senescence is characterized by several alterations in the immune system. Such modifications can be found in lymphoid organs as well as in the cellular components of the immune system. Several reports have suggested that immune dysfunction can affect both T and B cells, but T cells have been shown to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cellular immunology 2009, Vol.256 (1), p.1-5
Main Authors: Speziali, E., Santiago, A.F., Fernandes, R.M., Vaz, N.M., Menezes, J.S., Faria, A.M.C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging
Aging - immunology
Animals
Antibody Affinity
Antibody Specificity
Antigens - administration & dosage
B-Lymphocytes - immunology
Bone Marrow Cells - immunology
Female
Immune Tolerance
Immunoglobulin
Immunoglobulin-producing cells
Immunoglobulins - blood
In Vitro Techniques
Lymphocyte Activation
Mice
Mice, Inbred BALB C
Ovalbumin - administration & dosage
Ovalbumin - immunology
Spleen - cytology
Spleen - immunology
T cell proliferation
T-Lymphocytes - immunology
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Summary:Senescence is characterized by several alterations in the immune system. Such modifications can be found in lymphoid organs as well as in the cellular components of the immune system. Several reports have suggested that immune dysfunction can affect both T and B cells, but T cells have been shown to be more susceptible to the effects of aging. B cell function may also be altered with reduction in germinal center formation, antibody response, and affinity maturation of antibodies. Herein we showed that although antigen-specific antibody response to a soluble antigen declines in 18-month old mice, total levels of serum antibodies as well as frequencies of spleen and bone marrow antibody-producing cells are increased in aged mice. In addition, proliferative response of non-stimulated spleen T cells from aged mice were augmented and insensitive to increasing doses of concanavalin A stimulation as compared to young mice that showed a typical dose-dependent response to mitogen stimulation in vitro. These data suggest that the higher activation mode of B and T cells in senescent mice is a result of an increased frequency of cells committed to previous antigenic experiences and with poor ability to respond to novel antigenic challenges.
ISSN:0008-8749
1090-2163
DOI:10.1016/j.cellimm.2009.01.010