Suppressor cells function in healthy persons

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Gerontology
• Cellular Biology

Background:

• The immune system undergoes age-related changes affecting cellular functions.
• T lymphocytes play a crucial role in immune regulation, with their function potentially altering with age.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate age-dependent changes in T lymphocyte functions.
• To evaluate T suppressor cell activity, concanavalin A (Con A) responsiveness, and the percentage of T lymphocytes carrying the receptor for the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G (TG cells) in healthy individuals across a range of ages.

Main Methods:

• Lymphocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of 26 healthy individuals aged 20 to 68 years.
• T suppressor cell activity was assessed using a two-step culture method.
• Concanavalin A (Con A) responsiveness was evaluated over a three-day culture period.
• The number of T lymphocytes carrying the receptor for the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G (TG cells) was quantified.

Main Results:

• A slight, age-dependent increase in T suppressor cell activity was observed.
• A decrease in responsiveness to Con A was found to be age-dependent.
• A significant positive correlation (r = 0.62, p < 0.05) was identified between in vitro suppressor cell activity and the percentage of TG cells.
• Lymphocyte suppressor activity levels were independent of their Con A responsiveness.

Conclusions:

• T suppressor cell activity and Con A responsiveness exhibit age-dependent alterations in healthy adults.
• The percentage of TG cells correlates with T suppressor cell activity, suggesting a role in immune regulation.
• These findings contribute to understanding age-related immune system modulation.