STUDIES ON THE SYNGENEIC MIXED LYMPHOCYTE-REACTION .2. DECLINE IN THE SYNGENEIC MIXED LYMPHOCYTE-REACTION WITH AGE

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 46  (4) , 801-808
Abstract
The syngeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (SMLR) is the proliferative response of T lymphocytes cultured with syngeneic non-T lymphocytes. The SMLR reaches adult level of activity at 4 wk of age in BALB/c mice. The SMLR declines with age in this strain. The decline was first documented at 12 mo. of age, when non-T spleen cells were less able to stimulate young adult T cells than were non-T cells from 2-3 mo. old mice. Splenic T cells from 12 mo. old mice were as responsive as splenic T cells from 2-3 mo. old mice. By 24 mo. of age, mice had no significant SMLR activity. Splenic T cells from 24 mo. old mice did not respond and splenic non-T cells did not stimulate SMLR when cultured with cells from young adult mice. Suppressor cells were demonstrated in spleen cell preparations from 24 mo. old mice and may explain or contribute to the impaired SMLR in these animals.