Monoclonal Antibody Analysis of T-Lymphocyte Subsets in Young and Aged Adults

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Abstract
Eleven monoclonal antibodies identifying surface antigens present on human T lymphocytes were utilized to investigate the effects of advanced age on peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets. Both the proportion and number of lymphocytes recognized by five antibodies reactive with 'pan' T cell antigens (OKT3, OKT11, Leu4, T101 and Lyt3) decreased with age. The percentage of helper/inducer(OKT4+, Leu3a+) cells remained constant; however the proportion of Leu2a+, suppressor/cytotoxic cells declined. There was no change with age in the percent representation of OKT9+ or OKT10+ cells, nor in the ratio of helper/inducer to suppressor/cytotoxic cells (OKT4+/OKT8+ or Leu3a+ /Leu2a+). Absolute numbers of helper/inducer (OKT4+, Leu3a+), suppressor/cytotoxic (OKT8+, Leu2a+), OKT9+ and OKT10+ cells were lower in elderly individuals as the result of lymphocytes constituting a lower percentage of the peripheral blood white cell population in this age group. While only small differences existed between the lymphocyte populations of young and aged men; aged women, compared to young women, had more dramatic shifts in their T cell populations. Comparison of antibodies putatively identifying similar (the same) functional groups of T cells demonstrated excellent correlation between the percentage of cells enumerated with the antibodies OKT3+ :LeuA+ (r = .951), OKT4+ :Leu3a+ (r = .914), OKT8+ :Leu2a+ (r = .896), and in the ratio of helper/inducer to cytotoxic/suppressor OKT4+ /OKT8+ :Leu3a+ /Leu2a+ (r = .926) cells.