Abstract
Peripheral CD4(+) CD8(+) T cells have been described in animals as well as in humans. Two distinct populations can be distinguished, namely CD4(lo) CD8(hi) and CD4(hi) CD8(lo) T cells. We demonstrate here that the increase in the number of peripheral CD4(+) CD8(+) T cells in the elderly is the result of an increase of the CD4(lo) CD8(hi) T-cell population. While the phenotype of CD4(lo) CD8(hi) and CD4(hi) CD8(lo) T cells was very similar in young persons, CD4(hi) CD8(lo), T cells from elderly subjects expressed a more differentiated phenotype and produced less interleukin-2 compared to CD4(lo) CD8(hi) T cells. In conclusion, our results suggest that aging leads to a phenotypic and functional difference between CD4(+) CD8(+) T-cell subsets. It may therefore be of relevance to distinguish between these subsets before assessing their functional significance in elderly humans.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.