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Age-dependent variations of antibody avidity
Immunology
|October 1, 1978
Summary
Antibody avidity in mice increases with immune response and changes parabolically with age, peaking in adulthood. This age-related variation in antibody avidity is primarily linked to the immune response itself, with a smaller contribution from age alone.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Antibody avidity is a crucial measure of antibody effectiveness.
- Age significantly impacts immune system function and antibody production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-dependent variations in antibody avidity.
- To determine the relationship between antibody response, age, and avidity.
Main Methods:
- Spleen cells from mice of various ages (10-720 days) were transferred to irradiated recipients.
- Antibody response was measured by plaque-forming cells (PFC) using the Jerne technique.
- Antibody avidity was assessed by inhibition using TNP-BSA.
Main Results:
- Antibody avidity increased with the antibody response and showed a parabolic relationship with age.
- Regression analysis indicated 82% of avidity variation was due to response and 18% to age.
- Avidity peaked around 110 days of age, increasing 15-fold from day 10 and declining 5-fold by 720 days.
Conclusions:
- Age-dependent changes in spleen cell populations influence antibody response and avidity.
- Both the magnitude of the immune response and chronological age contribute to antibody avidity variations.
- Antibody avidity heterogeneity also varies with age, with high avidity classes prominent in adulthood.