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Numerical and Functional Characteristics of Lymphocyte Subsets in Centenarians

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Abstract

The immune system in the aged is a very interesting subject for study. In this study, analysis was extended to extrathymic T cells as well as NK cells and “conventional” T cells (i.e., thymus-derived T cells) in terms of their constitution and function in both healthy and unhealthy centenarians. Middle-aged persons were used as controls. Healthy and unhealthy centenarians showed lower levels in the proportion and absolute number of lymphocytes. The major change in the constitution of lymphocyte subsets was increased levels in the proportion of NK cells (CD56+/CD57+) and extrathymic T cells (CD3+CD57+). Inversely, conventional T cells decreased in proportion and function (i.e., proliferative response to mitogen). Although NK cells increased in centenarians, NK activity by whole lymphocytes and the purified NK fraction decreased. The difference between healthy and unhealthy centenarians was small in all parameters, the only difference being a lower level of expression of CD56 antigens on CD57+ T cells in unhealthy centenarians. These results indicate that there is a major shift in lymphcyte population from conventional T cells to NK cells and extrathymic T cells with aging. Concerning the age-associated increases in CD56+ T and CD57+ T cells, these cells correspond to NK1+ T cells in mice.

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Author notes

  1. Hisami Watanabe

    Present address: Department of Immunology, Niigata University School of Medicine, Niigata, 951, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Immunology, Niigata University School of Medicine, Niigata, 951, Japan

    Chikako Miyaji, Masahiro Minagawa, Toshihiko Kawamura & Toru Abo

  2. Department of Parasitology, Ryukyu University School of Medicine, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-01, Japan

    Hiromu Toma & Yoshiya Sato

  3. Center for Comprehensive Medicine, Ryukyu University School of Medicine, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-01, Japan

    Yumiko Nohara, Hiroyuki Nozaki & Yoshiya Sato

Authors
  1. Chikako Miyaji
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  2. Hisami Watanabe
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  4. Hiromu Toma
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  5. Toshihiko Kawamura
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  8. Yoshiya Sato
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  9. Toru Abo
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Miyaji, C., Watanabe, H., Minagawa, M. et al. Numerical and Functional Characteristics of Lymphocyte Subsets in Centenarians. J Clin Immunol 17, 420–429 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1027324626199

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