Numerical and functional alterations of circulating γδ T lymphocytes in aged people and centenarians
2002; Oxford University Press; Volume: 72; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1189/jlb.72.1.65
ISSN1938-3673
AutoresKaty Argentati, Francesca Re, Alessia Donnini, M. G. Tucci, Claudio Franceschi, Beatrice Bartozzi, Giovanni Bernardini, Mauro Provinciali,
Tópico(s)Immune Response and Inflammation
ResumoAbstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the peripheral representation, in vitro expansion, cytokine production, and cytotoxicity of γδ T lymphocytes from 104 healthy subjects ranging in age from 19 to 103 years. We demonstrated that the absolute number of circulating γδ+ T cells was reduced significantly in old people and centenarians in comparison with young subjects as a consequence of the age-related decreased lymphocyte number. The decrease was a result of an age-dependent reduction of Vδ2 T cells, whereas the absolute number of Vδ1 T cells was unaffected by age. As a consequence, the Vδ2/Vδ1 ratio was inverted in old subjects and centenarians. A higher percentage of γδ+ T cells producing tumor necrosis factor α was found in old donors and centenarians, whereas no age-related difference was observed in interferon -γ production. After a 10-day in vitro expansion, a twofold lower expansion index of γδ T cells, and particularly of a Vδ2, but not of a Vδ1 subset, was found in old people and centenarians in comparison with young subjects. The cytotoxicity of sorted γδ T cells was preserved in old people and centenarians. The alteration of γδ T cells could contribute to the age-related derangement of T cell-mediated, adoptive responses and may represent a new characteristic of immunosenescence.
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