Normal values of peripheral lymphocyte populations and T cell subsets at a fixed time of day: a flow cytometric analysis with monoclonal antibodies in 210 healthy adults.
Using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry percentages and absolute number of lymphocyte populations and T cell subsets were enumerated in peripheral blood collected between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. from 210 healthy adults. Although absolute numbers of total lymphocytes did not differ depending on age and sex, the numbers of T (Leu-4+) and natural killer (Leu-7+) cells as well as their percentages showed negative and positive correlations, respectively, with age. In Leu-7+ cells, the percentage was male-dominant irrespective of age, and the absolute number was male-dominant only in older subjects. Absolute numbers of suppressor/cytotoxic T (Leu-2a+) and helper/inducer T (Leu-3a+) cells and percentages of Leu-2a+ cells were negatively correlated with age in females. In males, only the percentage of Leu-2a+ cells was age-dependent. Leu-3a/Leu-2a was positively correlated with age in females, and was female-dominant depending on age. These results indicate that peripheral lymphocyte populations and T cell subsets vary remarkably in healthy adults even at a fixed time of day.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal