Human T cell lifespan (P1284)

Abstract

Abstract In humans, the lifespan and turnover of T cells have been debated for almost half a century. Until now, the analysis of T lymphocyte turnover have been primarily approached through short term labelling studies and nucleotide analogue incorporation. While much has been gained from these endeavours, there is still considerable debate about the half live of the different T lymphocyte subsets and it is apparent that neither approach alone can give the necessary information to reach a conclusive result. Taking advantage of the decreasing concentration of 14C in the atmosphere since the cold war, we have retrospectively assessed the birth date of the different T cell populations in the blood of healthy adult humans.