Age-related changes of the multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein function in normal human peripheral blood T lymphocytes

Author(s)

C.G. Machado ; R.T. Calado ^[2] ; A.B. Garcia ^[3] ; R.P. Falcão ^[4]

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research; v. 36, n. 12, p. 1653-1657, 2003-12-00.

Abstract

The multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein is a transmembrane efflux pump expressed by lymphocytes and is involved in their cytolytic activity. In the present study, we investigated the age-related changes of P-glycoprotein function in normal peripheral blood lymphocytes. Blood samples from 90 normal volunteers (age range, 0 to 86 years) were analyzed. P-glycoprotein function was assessed by the flow cytometric rhodamine 123 assay. P-glycoprotein function was highest in cord blood and progressively declined with age in peripheral blood T CD4+ and CD8+ cells. In contrast, P-glycoprotein function did not vary with age in CD19+ B or CD16+CD56+ natural killer cells. These data suggest that the decline in P-glycoprotein function in T CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes as a function of age may contribute to the decrease in T cell cytolytic activity with aging. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 98/14247-6 - Center for Research on Cell-Based Therapy
• Grantee: Marco Antonio Zago
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC