title: T lymphocytes of young and aged rats. I. Distribution, density, and capping of T antigens.
abstract: The distribution, density, and capping of the T cell antigens W3/13, W3/25, and Thy-1 were studied in lymphocytes of young (3 to 4 mo) and aged (greater than or equal to 27 mo) Brown Norway (BN) rats. The total number of W3/13, W3/25, and Thy-1 positive cells and the percentage of Thy-1 positive cells are reduced in the spleens and lymph nodes of aged rats. Analysis of spleen and lymph node cells in a fluorescence-activated cell sorter indicated that with ageing there is a loss of moderately and brightly stained W3/13 and W3/25 positive cells. The density of W3/13, W3/25, and Thy-1 is reduced on spleen and lymph node cells of old rats. The rate of capping of all 3 molecules is diminished on "old" cells. Colchicine treatment of young cells enhanced capping of all 3 molecules and allowed capping of W3/13 by a single ligand. However, capping on "old" lymphocytes was not affected by colchicine treatment. Cytochalasin D inhibited capping to the same extent on young and "old" cells. These results suggest that the membrane composition and cytoskeleton are altered in T lymphocytes of aged rats.
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens; D003078:Colchicine / Q000494:pharmacology; D015638:Cytochalasin D; D003572:Cytochalasins / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D007152:Immunologic Capping; D007519:Isoantigens; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D051381:Rats; D011914:Rats, Inbred BN; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D003572:Cytochalasins; D007519:Isoantigens; D015638:Cytochalasin D; D003078:Colchicine