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Decline, with age, in the proportion of mouse T cells that express IL-2 receptors after mitogen stimulation
Receptors for IL-2 can be demonstrated on the majority of mouse splenic T cells within 48 h after stimulation with Concanavalin A. We show here that aging leads to a decline in the frequency of cells able to generate detectable levels of IL-2 receptor, as measured by cytofluorimetry using antibodies to the receptor. The age-associated deficit cannot be overcome either by increasing the mitogen dose, or by supplementing the cultures with exogenous IL-2. At least a part of the decline, with age, in T cell-mediated immunity may represent an inability of individual T cells to produce sufficient IL-2 receptor to enable them to reach the IL-2 dependent phases of their first cell cycle.
Receptors for IL-2 can be demonstrated on the majority of mouse splenic T cells within 48 h after stimulation with Concanavalin A. We show here that aging leads to a decline in the frequency of cells able to generate detectable levels of IL-2 receptor, as measured by cytofluorimetry using antibodies to the receptor. The age-associated deficit cannot be overcome either by increasing the mitogen dose, or by supplementing the cultures with exogenous IL-2. At least a part of the decline, with age, in T cell-mediated immunity may represent an inability of individual T cells to produce sufficient IL-2 receptor to enable them to reach the IL-2 dependent phases of their first cell cycle.