title: Immunological status of aged subjects with reference to serological evidence of autoimmunity.
abstract: When a group of 104 aged subjects was screened for autoimmune reactions, positive reactions for the rheumatoid factor and/or autoantibodies (ANA, anti-thyroid, PCA, anti-smooth muscle, anti-mitochondria) were recorded in 40.4%. Immunological functions were studied in 32 positive aged subjects, 32 age- and sex-matched negative controls, and 32 young subjects. Some differences attributable to the process of aging were quite evident, such as a depression in the percentage of E rosette forming peripheral lymphocytes and in their response to PHA, and an increase in the percentage of IgG-bearing peripheral lymphocytes and in the serum levels of IgA and three complement fractions (C'3, C'4, and C'3-PA). No clear-cut picture was noted when autoimmunity-positive and -negative, aged subjects were compared. However, some differences between sexes suggest that autoimmune reactions are linked to a depressed T cell function mainly in males, whereas the reverse is true for females.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000276:immunology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000276:immunology; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000032:analysis; D012397:Rosette Formation; D012737:Sex Factors; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D037102:Lectins; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor