Abstract

BACKGROUND
The immune system changes with age. In this study we characterized immune changes by performing immunologic screening profiles on ageing individuals.
METHODS
This study was performed at Akdeniz University, in the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Immunology. Healthy volunteers consisted of a younger group (22 donors) and an older group (45 individuals). All subjects had no serious health problems (i.e. chronic heart, lung, liver or immunological diseases) and were taking no prescribed medications. Flow cytometry analysis was used to evaluate CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD19, CD28, CD40, CD45, CD56, CD80, CD86, CTLA-4 and ELISA for IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha expression In addition, NK activity and induced cytokine expression (by bioassay and ELISA, respectively) were evaluated.
RESULTS
No statistical differences were observed between the two groups in expression of CD3, CD8, CD19, CD80, CD86, CD16, CD 56, or CD28. A higher frequency of expression of CD4, CTLA-4, CD40, and CD45 was seen in older subjects by comparison with younger subjects. Cytokine profiles expressed by stimulated monocytes and lymphocytes from the two groups showed no difference in IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma production levels.
CONCLUSIONS
We found increased expression levels of CD40 and CD45 levels in healthy older (age: 59.42 +/- 5.89) versus younger individuals (age: 30.32 +/- 2.29). CTLA-4 expression levels were also higher in older subjects, with no difference in CD28 expression levels between younger/older individuals.

Authors

Yalcin AD, Gorczynski RM, Kahraman MS, Demirel MU, Terzioglu E

Institution

Internal Medicine, Allergology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Antalya Education and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey.

Source

Clinical laboratory 58:5-6 2012 pg 449-56

MeSH

Adult
Age Factors
Aging
Antigens, CD40
Antigens, CD45
Biological Markers
CTLA-4 Antigen
Cytokines
Female
Flow Cytometry
Humans
Immunity, Humoral
Lymphocytes
Male
Middle Aged
Monocytes

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22783574