The calcium response of human T lymphocytes is decreased in aging but increased in Alzheimer's dementia.
BACKGROUND
A significant increase in the [Ca2+]i response of single T lymphocytes to mitogenic stimulation with phytohemagglutinin is reported for 27 Alzheimer patients compared with 27 healthy gender- and age-matched control subjects, regardless of gender.


METHODS
The [Ca2+]i signals of T lymphocytes were assessed using the Fura-2-AM method.


RESULTS
In Alzheimer's disease (AD) the reaction pattern is similar to that seen in a group of 27 young healthy control subjects who exhibited a marked [Ca2+]i rise after stimulation. During normal aging the reaction pattern of T cells is significantly attenuated in comparison to that found in young subjects. In healthy control subjects differences in age-related changes in calcium homeostasis are highly significant among women, young women showing the most intense cell response.


CONCLUSIONS
The elevation of [Ca2+]i appears to be a prerequisite for apoptosis, which is suggested to be involved in the neuronal death occurring in AD. An increased [Ca2+]i in AD is consistent with processes leading to neurodegeneration in AD.
Sulger
J
J
Central Institute of Mental Health, Cell Biology Laboratory, Mannheim, Germany.
Dumais-Huber
C
C
Zerfass
R
R
Henn
F A
FA
Aldenhoff
J B
JB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D016923:Cell Death; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008934:Mitogens / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*
D008934:Mitogens; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D002118:Calcium