Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
09:04
Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells
Published on: March 7, 2025
Aging affects initiation and continuation of T cell proliferation
Jiu Jiang1, Diara Gross, Philip Elbaum
1Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Mechanisms of Ageing and Development
|March 27, 2007
Summary
Aging impairs T cell proliferation and activation. Aged mice show fewer CD8 T cells initiating proliferation and those that do, divide less, impacting immune response optimization.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gerontology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Aging leads to decreased immune responses, especially in T cells.
- Reduced T cell expansion is observed in aged individuals, but proliferation differences are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related differences in T cell proliferation and activation kinetics.
- To determine if fewer aged T cells initiate proliferation or undergo fewer divisions.
Main Methods:
- Used ConA (T cell mitogen) to stimulate T cells from young and aged mice.
- Compared proliferation rates and activation marker expression (CD25, CD69, CD44, CD62L) across proliferation rounds.
Main Results:
- A higher percentage of aged CD8 T cells failed to proliferate upon stimulation.
- Proliferating aged CD8 T cells initiated division later and ceased sooner than young T cells.
- Differential kinetics of activation marker expression were observed between age groups.
Conclusions:
- Aging significantly alters T cell proliferation initiation and division cycles.
- Multiple age-associated changes in T cell function need consideration for immune response enhancement.
Related Concept Videos
01:22T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Overview
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
01:23Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
01:24B Cell Activation and Differentiation
The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...