title: Impact of aging upon DBA/2J B cells.
abstract: The influence of age on B lymphocyte phenotype and function in DBA/2J mice was examined. The B cells of this strain express the endogenous minor lymphocyte stimulatory (Mls) retroviral superantigen (SAg) Mls-1a permitting assessment of age-related changes in cognate B cell-T cell interaction. Relative to young DBA/2J mice (< 8 months), old mice (> 17 months) had greater numbers of B cells expressing high levels of IgM and low levels of the CD11b and CD5 antigens characteristic of B-1 B cells. As measured by the T cell proliferative response to Mls, the B cells from old DBA/2J mice had reduced ability to present SAg. Upon interaction with Mls-activated T cells, old B cells secreted more IgM while young B cells made more IgG1, IgG3, and IgG2a. DBA/2J BCL functioned poorly as Mls APCs and made considerably less serum Ig. T cells from old mice exhibited a lower response to SAg and were less capable of promoting B cell differentiation. These results indicate that aging influences the cellular collaboration necessary for humoral immunity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648-3099, USA.
authors.forename: Koko F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Howell
authors.forename: Melissa F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Campo
authors.forename: Tazee
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mahjied
authors.forename: Clenton
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: Nataliya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Prokopenko
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Riggs
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D039481:CD11b Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018956:CD5 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000502:physiology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D016747:Minor Lymphocyte Stimulatory Antigens; D010641:Phenotype; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D039481:CD11b Antigen; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D016747:Minor Lymphocyte Stimulatory Antigens