title: Leukocyte migration inhibition studies and neutrophil cell function during aging in Nigerians.
abstract: In this study, in vitro cell-mediated immune response was analysed in 150 healthy Nigerians between 6 and 95 years old by the leukocyte migration inhibitory factor (L-MIF) test. Lymphocytes were activated with the mitogen concanavalin A and candida, measles virus and mycobacterial antigens. Nonspecific cellular immune capacity was studied by the Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test. Numerical estimates of leukocytes and lymphocyte subpopulations were done. Mean L-MIF activity obtained with the four lymphocyte activators decreased with rising age indicating a progressive decline in cellular immune function with age. There was no significant age-related change in formazan positivity rate for both unstimulated and stimulated NBT tests. No age-related change in number was observed for any of the leucocyte and lymphocyte subpopulations. These results show that cell-mediaging response in Nigerians immunity declines, but phagocyte function is unchanged during aging. Lymphocyte depletion or numerical alteration in resting T cell subsets could not be demonstrated to be responsible for depressed cell-mediated immunity in aging Nigerians.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Pathology and Immunology Department, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
authors.forename: G O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Oyeyinka
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Salimonu
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Ladipo
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Ashaye
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002464:Cell Migration Inhibition; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007961:Leukocyte Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria
chemical_list: D007961:Leukocyte Migration-Inhibitory Factors