Neutrophil function in elderly persons assessed by flow cytometry.
It is well known that the immune response declines with senescence and it is suggested that these changes render an individual susceptible to infection, autoimmune phenomena and cancer. Bacterial and viral infections are a major cause of illness and death amongst aged subjects, and once infection is established, the elderly also have a diminished capacity to prevent its spread (1). The cellular and molecular basis for this age-related decline in immunocompetence are still unknown and, possibly, are related to an alteration in cell transduction mechanisms (2).
Esparza
B
B
Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Universidad del Pais Vasco, Leioa, Vizcaya, Spain.
Sanchez
H
H
Ruiz
M
M
Barranquero
M
M
Sabino
E
E
Merino
F
F
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D018845:CD11 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D002469:Cell Separation; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016256:Lewis X Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D010587:Phagocytosis; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000187:drug effects; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism
D018845:CD11 Antigens; D016256:Lewis X Antigen; D013481:Superoxides; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine