title: Alterations in lymphocyte recognition repertoire during ageing. I. Analysis of changes in immune response potential of B lymphocytes from non-immunized aged mice, and the role of accessory cells in the expression of that potential.
abstract: The repertoire of specificities recognized by endogenous plaque-forming cells of young or aged mice has been examined, as well as the repertoire of specificities represented by mitogen-activated B cells of those animals. Significant changes occur in both polyclonal endogenous plaque-forming cells and polyclonal B cell responsiveness, as well as reactivity for antigens expressed on bromelain-treated mouse erythrocytes and mouse Ig-coupled sheep erythrocytes. Adoptive transfer experiments suggest that these changes reflect a role for the differentiative environment in the regulation of the B cell recognition repertoire. Additional analysis of changes in antigen-presenting cells in aged mice suggest that alterations in the manner of presentation of environmental antigens in vivo may control the expressed B cell repertoire. Indeed, under experimental conditions it has proven less easy to induce B cell/macrophage restriction (for antigen presentation and induction of antibody formation) in cells of old animals than in cells of younger mice.
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D007104:Immune Adherence Reaction; D007114:Immunization; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D012756:Sheep; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens