Age-related decline in the antibody response to E. coli lipopolysaccharide in New Zealand Black mice.
A thymus-independent immune function in ageing NZB and BALB/c mice was compared by measuring the antibody response to E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Since it was found that 10-13 month-old NZB mice was particularly sensitive to LPS, this antigen had to be detoxified by alkali treatment. The anti-LPS splenic plaque-forming cell (PFC) response of NZB mice decreases with age and was lower than that of BALB/c mice in all age groups studied. The response of 4- and 10-month-old NZB mice showed an irregular time course and a number of mice showed no response. The present results indicate that, besides an impairment of T-cell functions, an impairment on the B-cell level must also be considered in ageing NZB mice.
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000276:immunology*; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D007114:Immunization; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C / Q000276:immunology; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB / Q000276:immunology*; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D012756:Sheep / Q000276:immunology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial