AGE-DEPENDENT CHANGES OF HUMAN-BLOOD LYMPHOCYTE SUB-POPULATIONS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 32  (2) , 346-351
Abstract
T [thymus-derived] and B[bone marrow-derived]-lymphocyte populations were enumerated at 4 stages of life: the newly born, infant, adult and aged stages. The proportion of T cells detected by E [erythrocyte] rosettes and an anti-human T-lymphocyte antigen (HTLA) serum increased from new-born children to adults, then decreased with aging. The antiserum detected less mature T cells in aged people. The percentages of cell forming active E rosettes increased with aging. Lower numbers of B cells bearing surface immunoglobulins were found in adults. Complement receptor-bearing lymphocytes (percentages and absolute numbers) decreased from new-born children to aged humans. Finally, the number of monocytes were significantly greater in the young than in adult and aged people.