Response of aged versus young skin to intradermal administration of interferon gamma.
BACKGROUND
Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) induces the interaction of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and lymphocyte function-associated antigen type 1 expression, and of HLA-DR antigens by keratinocytes.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to determine the potential ability of aged versus young skin to respond to intradermal administration of IFN-gamma, as an in vivo immunologic stimulus.


METHODS
For 3 consecutive days elderly and young volunteers were injected with 10 micrograms of recombinant IFN-gamma diluted in 0.1 ml of sterile water. On day 5, punch biopsy specimens were obtained from the injected sites. Histologic and immunohistochemical stainings were performed on all sections.


RESULTS
ICAM-1 was expressed by keratinocytes in both aged and young skin. An impairment was manifested mainly by the reduced accumulation of mononuclear cells throughout the dermis, the absence of HLA-DR expression by keratinocytes in 7 of 10 elderly volunteers, and the absence of an effect on the Langerhans cell population.


CONCLUSIONS
This observation shows a diminished immune response in aged skin.
Skin Research Laboratory, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa.
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Gilhar
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Aizen
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Pillar
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Eidelman
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000187:drug effects; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / Q000187:drug effects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D007371:Interferon-gamma