LYMPHOCYTE-TRANSFORMATION INDUCED BY AUTOLOGOUS CELLS .11. THE EFFECT OF AGE ON THE AUTOLOGOUS MIXED LYMPHOCYTE-REACTION

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  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 44  (2) , 431-438
Abstract
The autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) was lower in newborn infants and healthy [human] subjects over 65 yr of age than in adults 20-32 yr old. The allogeneic MLR, although impaired in newborn infants, was normal in elderly subjects. The degree of impairment of the autologous MLR in elderly subjects was correlated with the impairment in the response of lymphocytes from elderly subjects to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and Staphylococcus aureus protein A (SPA). The percentage of autorosetting T cells and of T cells with the [mouse monoclonal antibody] OKT4 phenotype was increased in elderly subjects. These findings are paradoxical as autoreactive T cells in young adults have been reported to be drawn from these 2 T cell subpopulations.