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Quantitative Imaging of Lineage-specific Toll-like Receptor-mediated Signaling in Monocytes and Dendritic Cells from Small Samples of Human Blood
Published on: April 16, 2012
Changes in lymphocyte subsets and immune competence in very advanced age
L Lehtonen1, J Eskola, O Vainio
1Department of Medical Microbiology, Turku University, Finland.
Journal of Gerontology
|May 1, 1990
Summary
Aging significantly impacts immune function, reducing T and B cell counts and altering responses to mitogens. Immune capacity did not correlate with survival in very old patients, despite high mortality.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Immunology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Immune system function declines with age, a phenomenon known as immunosenescence.
- Understanding age-related immune changes is crucial for predicting health outcomes and survival in the elderly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in immune cell populations and functions in very old individuals.
- To determine the correlation between immune capacity and patient survival over a three-year follow-up period.
Main Methods:
- Immune function tests were performed on 18 elderly patients (92-107 years).
- Cellular immune parameters including T lymphocyte subsets (CD4+, CD8+), B cells, and their responses to mitogens (PHA, Con A, PWM) were assessed.
- Patient survival was monitored over three years.
Main Results:
- Very old patients showed significantly lower T lymphocyte frequencies, primarily in the CD8+ subset, resulting in high CD4/CD8 ratios.
- Reduced mitogenic responses were observed in isolated lymphocytes and whole blood cultures.
- A significant decrease in B cell numbers and immunoglobulin M (IgM) production was noted.
- Fifteen out of 18 patients died within the follow-up period.
Conclusions:
- Advanced age is associated with significant declines in T and B cell numbers and impaired immune cell responsiveness.
- Despite high mortality, no single immune parameter strongly correlated with the lifespan of these very old patients.
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