Aging and the Immune System: Age-Related Changes of Lymphocyte Functions in Mice and Effects of Immunologic Manipulations on the Aging Process
The nature of the age-related immunologic defects of BC3F1 mice was investigated in mice of various ages. Suppressor, T helper and B cell activities in the spleen were assessed. It was found that the suppressor function increased rapidly, reached a peak in middle-aged mice, and remained elevated thereafter. T helper and B cell functions declined at a constant rate with age. Attempts were then made to restore the immune function of senescent mice by appropriate immunotherapy. Adult BC3F1 mice were treated with anti-I-J monoclonal antibody, human dialyzable leukocyte extract (DLE), or saline weekly for 1 year. Spleen cells were assayed for suppressor, T helper and B cell activities. Organs were processed for pathologic study. It was found that treatment with DLE decreased the suppressor activity, while anti-I-J treatment elevated T helper activity. Both treatments slightly decreased the tumor incidence. In another study, the effects of these treatments on the immune response to avian gamma globulin and on lifespan were examined. Both treatments resulted in secondary antibody responses greater than those of control mice. Treatment with anti-I-J resulted in prolongation of life. There was a correlation between the magnitude of the secondary responses and lifespan. The results provide support for the immunologic theory of aging.
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign