Human Suppressor Lymphocytes II. Changes in Concanavalin A Inducible Suppressor Cells With Age

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Abstract
Suppressor cells were induced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from young and old individuals by two day culture with concanavalin a (con A). Suppressor activity was quantitated using an alloantigen driven cytotoxicity assay. The proliferative responses of lymphocytes from young and old individuals to con A and alloantigens were also determined. Results demonstrated that the numbers of con A inducible suppressor cells were markedly decreased in older individuals. Proliferative responses to con A were reduced compared to young individuals but equivalent proliferative responses to alloantigens were noted. Even though not statistically significant, alloantigen-induced cytotoxic responses were slightly increased in older persons. The increased alloantigen-induced cytotoxic responses of individuals noted in the present study may be related to the decreased numbers of suppressor cells in this group.