Overview of immunological studies on A-bomb survivors.
Among the peripheral blood lymphocytes, T-cells and B-cells significantly decreased in number with age. Radiation exposure resulted in further significant decrease of T-cell count (but not B cells) in the elderly. T-cell response to PHA and allo-antigens also decreased with dose in the elderly group. In contrast, NK cell number and function increased with age while a significant dose effect was not observed.
Akiyama
M
M
Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan.
Kusunoki
Y
Y
Kyoizumi
S
S
D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000528:radiation effects*; D007564:Japan; D009689:Nuclear Warfare; D013534:Survival