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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Characterization of Thymus-dependent and Thymus-independent Immunoglobulin Isotype Responses in Mice Using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay

Characterization of Thymus-dependent and Thymus-independent Immunoglobulin Isotype Responses in Mice Using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay

Published on: September 7, 2018

Quantitative immunoglobulins in adulthood.

Howard C Crisp¹, James M Quinn

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Wilford Hall Medical Center, 2200 Bergquist Drive, Lackland AFB, TX 78236, USA. howard.crisp@us.af.mil

Allergy and Asthma Proceedings

|December 25, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Serum immunoglobulin levels change with age and gender. Elderly individuals without disease show higher immunoglobulin A (IgA) and lower immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels, while women consistently have higher IgM than men.

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Last Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Characterization of Thymus-dependent and Thymus-independent Immunoglobulin Isotype Responses in Mice Using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay

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The Isolation, Differentiation, and Quantification of Human Antibody-secreting B Cells from Blood: ELISpot as a Functional Readout of Humoral Immunity

The Isolation, Differentiation, and Quantification of Human Antibody-secreting B Cells from Blood: ELISpot as a Functional Readout of Humoral Immunity

Published on: December 14, 2016

Area of Science:

Immunology
Gerontology
Clinical Chemistry

Background:

Age-related changes in serum immunoglobulins are well-documented in children but less so in the elderly.
Understanding immunoglobulin levels in older adults is crucial for accurate health assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

To define expected immunoglobulin G (IgG), M (IgM), and A (IgA) ranges in adults across different decades of life.
To identify age and gender-related differences in immunoglobulin levels.

Main Methods:

Quantitative analysis of IgG, IgM, and IgA levels in sera from 404 patients aged 20-89.
Statistical analysis (two-factor ANOVA) considering age decade and gender, including a subset of disease-free individuals.
Literature review of studies on immunoglobulin levels in adults over 60.

Main Results:

Overall, IgM was higher in women than men and decreased with age.
In disease-free individuals, IgM differences by gender and age persisted, while IgA levels were higher in older adults.
IgG levels showed no significant alteration in the older population.

Conclusions:

Elderly individuals without disease exhibit higher serum IgA and lower serum IgM.
Women maintain higher IgM levels than men throughout life.
Serum IgG levels are not significantly affected by aging in adults.