Abstract
The proliferative response of human peripheral blood lymphocytes from young adults (average age, 29 years) and from healthy elderly individuals (average age, 78 years) to anti-immunoglobulin antibodies (anti-Ig), phytohemagglutinin (PHA), Concanavalin A (Con A), and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) was measured. Elderly individuals responded better to anti-Ig than young subjects, while young subjects responded better to PHA and PWM. There was no difference in terms of Con A. These results suggest that in terms of lymphocyte responsiveness to PHA and to anti-Ig, elderly subjects have “hyporeactive” thymus-derived or T cells and “hyperreactive” bone marrow-derived or B cells. There was no relationship between the response to anti-Ig in the elderly subjects and serum immunoglobulin levels or the presence of serum autoantibodies. These differences between young and old people may be due to a loss of thymic influence that occurs with age.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: 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.
