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Immunophenotypical changes of T lymphocytes in the elderly
L Ginaldi1, M De Martinis, M Modesti
1Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
Gerontology
|August 31, 2000
Summary
Aging alters T lymphocyte surface receptor expression. Elderly individuals show decreased CD62L and increased CD2 and CD50 expression, impacting immune function in senescence.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gerontology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Advancing age significantly alters T lymphocyte representation and function.
- Previous studies have not systematically investigated age-dependent changes in T lymphocyte surface receptor expression intensity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish age-related differences in T lymphocyte subpopulations.
- To simultaneously measure three surface antigens in young and elderly individuals to understand immune system changes with aging.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative three-color flow cytometry was used.
- Peripheral blood T cell subsets from 20 healthy elderly and 15 healthy young adults were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Elderly individuals showed expanded activated (HLA-DR+) and memory (CD45RO+) T cells, CD3+CD7- T lymphocytes, and NK cells (CD3-CD56+, CD3+CD56+).
- Expression of CD3 antigen was downregulated on total T cells and memory T cells in the elderly.
- Upregulated CD2 on T lymphocytes and increased CD50 and CD62L on T cells were observed in elderly subjects, alongside decreased HLA-DR and CD7 intensity.
Conclusions:
- Modulations in T cell antigen expression during senescence contribute to immune system remodeling in the elderly.
- Alterations in T lymphocyte subset frequency and surface antigen expression intensity are characteristic of immune aging.