Cell-mediated effector mechanisms in aging humans

Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol. 1982;69(1):7-11. doi: 10.1159/000233137.

Abstract

Specific and nonspecific cell-mediated effector mechanisms have been simultaneously assayed in 15 aged humans. 8 were female and 7 male, including a 114-year-old male in remarkably good health. Proliferative response to alloantigens, the generation of T killer cells and the ability to express cell-mediated lympholysis as well as the presence of natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity against K562 tumor cell line and the capacity to mount an ADCC response to RhD+ human red blood cell sensitized with anti-D antisera, revealed that in the human aged, while T function significantly declines, nonspecific cell-mediated effector mechanisms are operative.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging*
  • Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular*
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Male
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / physiology