title: Functional properties of Salmonella minnesota Rb-bound and Rb-unbound cell fractions in elderly donors.
abstract: The capacity of Salmonella minnesota R345 (Rb) binding to human peripheral blood lymphocytes allows the recovery of Rb-bound and Rb-unbound cell populations that elicit different functions. Here, we have applied this method to lymphocytes from aged individuals to evaluate the possibility that such an approach could reverse the senescence-related impaired immune responsiveness. In this regard we show that Rb binding augments either spontaneous or T-dependent plaque-forming cell generation in Rb-unbound fraction. By contrast, Rb-bound cells are enriched for lymphocytes releasing several lymphokines. This experimental approach seems to represent a useful tool to elucidate better the age-related alterations of the immune function.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Antonaci
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gallitelli
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Garofalo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jirillo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D012475:Salmonella / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D008222:Lymphokines; C010598:leukocyte inhibitory factor; D003208:Concanavalin A