The human lymphocyte as a model of beta-adrenoceptor regulation in aging and disease

Extensive experimental evidence suggests that human lymphocytes may model the behavior of other tissues as far as beta-adrenoceptor characteristics are concerned. In fact, although lymphocytes bear only beta2-adrenoceptor subtype, they may mirror other tissues in various physiological and pathological conditions. In the present paper examples are given demonstrating receptor regulations after drug or surgical stimulus. Age-related changes have also been taken into account. Treatment with beta1-selective beta-blockers without or with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity induces, respectively, up- or down-regulation of beta-adrenoceptors of lymphocytes in agreement with other tissues, as suggested by clinical findings. Data on the influence of thyroidectomy are also in agreement with clinical observations and animal experimental findings on other tissues. Preliminary results on old subjects also suggest a possible role of the human lymphocyte in modelling other tissues or organs in relation to aging processes. The clinical application could be of paramount importance due to the impossibility to directly monitor the receptor status in most of human tissues.