title: Interleukin-1 synthesis and activity in aged mice.
abstract: Recent studies have provided evidence that deficient interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by helper T cells contributes to the impaired T-cell-mediated functions observed in aged mice. Since most of these responses depend upon the presence of macrophages, a deficit in the functional capacity or in cell cooperation of macrophages may result in a decrease in immune reactivity. We found in the present study, that in vitro the cytostatic activity of macrophages from aged C57BL/6 (B6) mice is affected only slightly, but that in vivo their number increases with age. The synthesis of IL-1 is reduced when macrophages from aged mice are stimulated in vitro by lipopolysaccharide, but addition of exogenous IL-1 apparently does not restore either the mixed lymphocyte reaction or cytotoxic T lymphocyte generation. Co-cultures of young splenic macrophages with aged T lymphocytes do not restore to normal level the impaired proliferative response to T mitogens of aged B6 mice, but aged splenic macrophages provide a full accessory help for mitogenesis of young T cells. Thus, absorption of IL-1 by phytohemagglutinin-activated T cells is slightly altered in aged mice. IL-2 responsive T cells are not altered since exogenous IL-2 supply in vitro completely reconstitutes cytotoxic T lymphocyte generation after an allogeneic stimulation. Moreover, the number of Lyt 1+ cells is not modified in aged B6 mice. These results suggest that the impaired capacity of macrophages to release IL-1 and of blast T cells to bind IL-1 may contribute to the depression of cell-mediated immune reactivity associated with aging but also that the main defect is a functional lesion of IL-2 production by Lyt 1+ helper T cells.
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D003208:Concanavalin A