SUB-POPULATIONS OF HUMAN LYMPHOCYTES-T .10. ALTERATIONS IN T, B, 3RD POPULATION CELLS, AND T-CELLS WITH RECEPTORS FOR IMMUNOGLOBULIN-M (T-MU) OR IMMUNOGLOBULIN-G (T-GAMMA) IN AGING HUMANS

Google Scholar
  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 122  (4) , 1214-1219
Abstract
Peripheral blood from 120 healthy subjects, of whom 59 were young (33.5 .+-. 9.6 yr) and 61 aged (69.2 .+-. 4.2 yr), was examined for the proportions and numbers of lymphocyte populations, with a battery of surface markers. Absolute lymphocyte count and T [thymus-derived], B [bone marrow-derived] and 3rd population cells were comparable in both groups. T.gamma. cell proportions were significantly (P < 0.001) increased in aging subjects when compared with the young subjects. This difference was more significant (P < 0.001) when aged females were compared with the young females as compared to aged males vs. young males (P < 0.05). When data were analyzed for absolute numbers of T.mu. and T.gamma. cells, a similar significant decrease in T.mu. and increase in T.gamma. cells were observed. When these data were analyzed according to gender, significant differences in T.mu. and T.gamma. cell numbers were observed between young and old females but not between young and old men. Implications of these results are discussed.