Expression of ornithine decarboxylase gene in elderly human monocytes

The proliferative capacity of the immune system is impaired in elderly subjects and the expression of various genes involved in cell cycle progression is reduced in PHA stimulated lymphocytes during the aging process. Macrophages play a fundamental role in the immune system response. It has recently been demonstrated that the process of macrophage activation is accompanied by a rapid, transient rise of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) mRNA levels. In fact, the ODC gene seems to be involved in macrophage activation and differentiation. The authors demonstrated that the steady-state levels of ODC mRNA and the correlated superoxide anion production are lower in the monocytes of elderly subjects with respect to those in young subjects used as control. These results confirmed the impaired immune function of the elderly.