[Polymorphonuclear chemotaxis and serum autoantibodies in aging (author's transl)]

Age-associated diseases or dysfunctions may be promoted by functional alterations of the immune system. The chemotactic activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN), representing an important factor in immune defence mechanisms, was investigated in a group of people with a mean age of 75.9 years. In addition the serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig)G, (Ig)M and (Ig)A and the presence of auto-antibodies was determined. The chemotactic activity of PMN in aged people was not decreased when compared with the chemotactic activity of PMN in young persons. The serum levels of IgG, IgM and IgA were within normal limits. Antinuclear antibodies were found in titres of up to 160 in sera of 4 out of 20 aged persons.