title: Decreased membrane potential of T lymphocytes in ageing mice: flow cytometric studies with a carbocyanine dye.
abstract: The membrane potential of lymphocytes from young (1-4-month-old) and old (25-37-month-old) CBA/Ca mice was studied with the aid of the fluorescent dye 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide (DiOC6(3)). In young mice, most B and T lymphocytes showed a high, and equal, degree of polarization. In old animals most, and in the older individuals almost all, T lymphocytes were found to be depolarized; both Lyt-2+ and Lyt-2- subsets were affected. B cells were largely unaffected. Since changes in transmembrane potential, including temporary hyperpolarization, are known to accompany lymphocyte activation, the depolarized state of T cells in old mice may be related to the decline of T-cell function that occurs during senescence.
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D002232:Carbocyanines; D002469:Cell Separation; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism; D013154:Spleen; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002232:Carbocyanines; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; C007392:3,3'-dihexyl-2,2'-oxacarbocyanine; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase