Cytokine production in varicella-zoster virus-stimulated lymphocyte cultures.
Among varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-immune adults aged 20 to 35 years, T lymphocytes producing interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in response to a VZV antigen stimulus are eight times more numerous than those making interleukin-4 (IL-4). In persons over 55 years old, the frequency of IFN-gamma-making cells falls while the number of IL-4-making cells remains roughly constant. The persistence of IL-4-making cells may contribute to the maintenance of IgG antibodies to VZV with aging.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver 80262, USA.
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Zhang
C J
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White
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Levin
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Hayward
D000328:Adult; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma