Age Dependence of T Lymphocytes

Importance of methodology in demonstrating depression of T-lymphocyte levels

“…Some authors (Stjernsward et al, 1972;Nemoto et at., 1974) have reported that the proportion of T lymphocytes is normal in patients with breast cancer who have not received radiotherapy, whereas others Keller et at., 1976) have reported decreased levels of T lymphocytes in these patients. There is a similar disparity in results in studies of the effect of age on T-lymphocyte levels (Augener, Cohnen and Reuter, 1974;Carosella, Mochanko and Braum, 1974;Smith, Evans and Steel, 1974;Alexopoulos and Babitis, 1976;Teasdale et al, 1976).…”

Studies of T, B, and ‘Null’ Blood Lymphocytes in Normal Persons of Different Age Groups

“…However, there is much disagreement in the literature about whether or not this is the case. Thus according to Augener et al (1974), Diaz-Joiianen et al (1975), Teasdale et al (1976), Alexopoulos and Babitis (1976), Clot et al (1978) and Reddy and Goh (1979), the numbers of T lympho cytes in the blood do decrease. On the other hand, Weksler and Hiitteroth (1974), Catalona et al (1974), Dellon et al (1975), Davey and Huntington (1977) and Hallgren et al (1978) have reported no significant reduction of T cell numbers in the elderly.…”

“…On the other hand, Weksler and Hiitteroth (1974), Catalona et al (1974), Dellon et al (1975), Davey and Huntington (1977) and Hallgren et al (1978) have reported no significant reduction of T cell numbers in the elderly. As regards lymphocyte response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) in vitro, which is considered to be mainly a T-cell response, most reports state that this declines with age (Foad et al, 1974;Roberts-Thomson et al, 1974;Weksler and Hütteroth, 1974;Teasdale et al, 1976;Inkeles et al, 1977;Greenberg and Yunis, 1978;Hallgren et al, 1978). One group (Ben-Zwi et al, 1977) found a similar response to PHA in young and in elderly persons.…”

“…It is generally reported that although the percentage of B cells may alter (perhaps reflecting the changes in T lymphocyte numbers), the absolute numbers o f circulating B cells do not change with advancing age (Augener et al, 1974;Diaz-Jouanen et al, 1975;Teasdale et al, 1976;Davey and Hunt ington, 1977;Reddy and Goh, 1979). Only one report (Girard et al, 1977) states that B lymphocytes increase in the elderly.…”

Lysozyme and Other Measures of Immunity in Young, Mature, and Aged Rats

“…Assessment of T cell number and function following this loss of thymic mass has provided conflicting results. A decrease in the total number of lymphocytes in blood from aged persons has been observed [Augener et al, 1974;Alexopoulos and Babitis, 1976;Teasdale et al, 1976] and attributed primarily to a diminu tion of T cells [Carosella et al, 1974], Decreased proliferative capacity in vitro has been observed in T lymphocytes [Gillis et al, 1981;Girard et al, 1977] and in mixed lymphocytes [Weksler and Hutteroth, 1974] from aged humans. In contrast, others have failed to find differences in in vitro prolifera tion of stimulated T cells or in total number of circulating T cells [Charpentier et al, 1981;Portaro et al, 1978].…”