Age- and sex-related changes of the lymphocyte subsets in healthy individuals: an analysis by two-dimensional flow cytometry.
The relative and absolute numbers of the peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) subpopulations from 156 healthy men and women of different ages (20-99 years old) were studied by the use of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) and two-dimensional flow cytometry. The percentage of pan-T MoAb-positive cells decreased with age, which was attributable to a relative decline in the CD8+ suppressor/cytotoxic T cells, more precisely in the CD8+ CD11- cytotoxic T cells. Those of CD4+ Leu-8- helper T cells, CD3+ HLA-DR+-activated T cells, and natural killer subsets (Leu-7+, CD16+, Leu-7+ CD16+ or Leu-7+ CD16-) increased with age. The absolute numbers of most of the lymphocyte subsets examined declined with age except that those of natural killer cell subsets and helper T cells remained unchanged. It should be noted that the PBL subsets differed markedly according to age and sex, the changes being more evident among women.
Goto
M
M
Division of Rheumatic Diseases, Tokyo Metropolitan Otsuka Hospital.
Nishioka
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal