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Age-associated changes in T-B cell cooperation demonstrated by the allogeneic effect
The allogeneic effect results in an increase in the number of antibody-producing cells (PFC) when the allogeneically stimulated lymphoid cells and the antibody-producing cells are from young individuals. This increase depends on the interaction of allogeneically stimulated T-cells and precursor plasma cells (B-cells). Age-associated deficiencies in these two cell populations were studied in these experiments by use of allogeneically stimulated T-cells from old donors or responding B-cells from old recipients. These experiments showed that lymphocytes from 20-month-old mice were capable of inducing an increase in PFC in young recipients. However, the allogeneic effect was ineffectual in 12-month-old mice. These data suggest that the T-helper function is equally capable in mice 4 to 20 months old, but that the B-cell is not as effectively recruited. The possible causes for limited B-cell recruitment are discussed.
The allogeneic effect results in an increase in the number of antibody-producing cells (PFC) when the allogeneically stimulated lymphoid cells and the antibody-producing cells are from young individuals. This increase depends on the interaction of allogeneically stimulated T-cells and precursor plasma cells (B-cells). Age-associated deficiencies in these two cell populations were studied in these experiments by use of allogeneically stimulated T-cells from old donors or responding B-cells from old recipients. These experiments showed that lymphocytes from 20-month-old mice were capable of inducing an increase in PFC in young recipients. However, the allogeneic effect was ineffectual in 12-month-old mice. These data suggest that the T-helper function is equally capable in mice 4 to 20 months old, but that the B-cell is not as effectively recruited. The possible causes for limited B-cell recruitment are discussed.