Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand

Aging reduces the primary humoral response and the in vitro cytokine production in mice.

Abstract

Aging is accompanied by a decrease in several physiological functions that make older individuals less responsive to environmental challenges. In this study, we analyzed the immune response of female BALB/c mice (n = 6) of different ages (from 2 to 96 weeks of age) and identified significant age-related alterations. Immunization with hapten-protein (trinitrophenyl-bovine serum albumin, TNP-BSA) conjugates resulted in lower antibody levels in the primary and secondary responses of old mice (72 weeks old). Moreover, young mice (2, 16, and 32 weeks old) maintained specific antibodies in their sera for longer periods after primary immunization than did old mice. However, a secondary challenge efficiently induced memory in old mice, as shown by the increased antibody levels in their sera. The number of TCD4+ and TCD8+ cells in the spleen increased until 8 weeks of age but there was no change in the CD4+/CD8+ ratio with aging. Splenic T cells from old mice that had or had not been immunized were less responsive to concanavalin-A and showed reduced cytokine production compared to young mice (IL-2: 57-127 pg/mL versus 367-1104 pg/mL, IFN-g: 2344-12836 pg/mL versus 752-23106 pg/mL and IL-10: 393-2172 pg/mL versus 105-2869 pg/mL in old and young mice, respectively). These data suggest that there are significant changes in the organization of the immune system throughout life. However, the relevance of these alterations for the functioning of the immune system is unknown. (AU)

Articles published in Agência FAPESP Newsletter about the research grant:
More itemsLess items
Articles published in other media outlets ( ):
More itemsLess items
VEICULO: TITULO (DATA)
VEICULO: TITULO (DATA)