[The macrophagal-lymphocytic interaction of heterochronic cells in the induction of delayed hypersensitivity]

The influence of senescence on the functional activity of lymphocytes and macrophages in the induction of sensitivity to tuberculosis has been studied in experiments on 226 CBA mice. The study has revealed that after the injection of BCG old animals exhibit decreased capacity for the formation of delayed hypersensitivity, and their lymphocytes, transplanted to recipients, induce a lower level of hypersensitivity. Joint incubation of lymphocytes and macrophages from animals of different ages has shown that immunological defect appearing with age is localized in lymphocytes, while the antigen-presenting function of macrophages remains basically unchanged.