Age-related impaired proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells is associated with an increase in both IL-10 and IL-12.
Reflective of age-associated decline in immune function among elderly individuals is a decrease in in vitro T cell proliferative ability. Impaired T cell proliferation in the elderly may result from disruption of the well-balanced network of regulatory cytokines produced during an immune response. The purpose of this study was to identify age-related changes in the production of interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-12, and to determine whether in vitro T cell proliferation can be enhanced in the elderly by modulation of these two key cytokines. The superantigen Staphyloccocus entertoxin B (SEB) was used to stimulate proliferation and IL-10 and IL-12 production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro. Proliferation was determined by standard tritiated thymidine uptake. Cytokine levels in culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. We observed impaired SEB-induced proliferation of PBMC in the elderly that is comparable to that seen with the polyclonal mitogen Con A. This age-related decline in proliferation was associated with increased production of both IL-10 and IL-12. Modulation of PBMC proliferative response with either recombinant IL-12 or IL-10-neutralizing antibodies can boost proliferation of elderly PBMC to the levels seen in unmodulated young controls.
Castle
S C
SC
Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, UCLA, 90073, USA.
Uyemura
K
K
Crawford
W
W
Wong
W
W
Klaustermeyer
W B
WB
Makinodan
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D002455:Cell Division; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D018089:Superantigens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004768:Enterotoxins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018089:Superantigens; D003208:Concanavalin A; D016753:Interleukin-10; D018664:Interleukin-12; C031818:enterotoxin B, staphylococcal