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Antigenic determinants on lymphocytes from young and old C57BL/6 mice
Experimental Gerontology
|January 1, 1982
Summary
This study investigated age-related antigenic differences in mouse lymphocytes. Results indicate that altered antigenic determinants are not consistently present on lymphocytes from older mice, challenging existing hypotheses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gerontology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Aging is associated with changes in immune function.
- The presence of altered antigenic determinants on aged lymphocytes is a proposed mechanism for immune senescence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate antigenic differences between lymphocytes from young and old female C57BL/6 mice.
- To determine if altered antigenic determinants are consistently present on aged lymphocytes.
Main Methods:
- One-way mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) were performed.
- Polyethylene glycol (PEG) enhancement of MLR was assessed.
- Cytotoxicity assays using young anti-old antiserum and sensitized lymphocytes were conducted.
Main Results:
- Mixed lymphocyte reactions showed increased responses from old to young and old to old combinations compared to young to young.
- Polyethylene glycol enhanced weak syngeneic MLR responses across all age groups.
- Young anti-old antiserum exhibited limited cytotoxicity against aged spleen cells, and sensitized lymphocytes showed no cytotoxicity toward old cells.
Conclusions:
- The findings do not support the hypothesis that altered antigenic determinants are always or usually present on lymphocytes of old mice.
- Age-related changes in lymphocyte antigenicity may be less prevalent than previously suggested.