Investigations on the Age-Dependence of T-Lymphocyte Subpopulations and Lymphocyte Reactivity

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Abstract
The percentage of human T-lymphocyte subpopulations were determined with the aid of radioactively-labeled monoclonal antibodies to the antigens of total T-lymphocytes and to suppressor T-lymphocyte surface antigens and the responsiveness of the lymphocytes in the presence of Con A [concanavalin A] and PHA [phytohemagglutinin] was investigated in groups of 8 subjects aged either between 20 and 30 yr or over 75 yr. There was no difference with respect to the response of the lymphocytes to the plant mitogens Con A and PHA. The percentage of suppressor T-lymphocytes, on the other hand, was significantly reduced in the older subjects, while the percentage of total T-lymphocytes did not differ significantly from the percentage in younger subjects.