Biomaterial Database

Age dependent changes in some human lymphocyte sub-populations. Changes in natural killer cell activity. 1981

M Onsrud

Age-dependent changes in natural killer (NK) cell activity was studied using the K 562 cell line as target in a 20 h 51Cr release assay. Fifteen healthy, high-aged person (76-93 yrs) were compared with 15 sex-matched young adults (20-39 yrs). Peripheral blood lymphocytes from one aged and one young person were assayed simultaneously; and in 12 of the pairs the elderly person expressed the highest cytotoxicity (p = 0.008). When the NK cell activity was expressed as lytic units per ml of blood, however, no difference could be found between the two age groups. T enriched cells showed lower NK activity than peripheral blood lymphocytes, but the age-dependent changes were the same. The NK cell activity was positively correlated to the proportion of lymphocytes bearing receptors for the Fc part of IgG. The numbers of both Fc receptor positive peripheral lymphocytes and Fc receptor positive T cells ( t gamma cells) were significantly elevated in the elderly.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007694	Killer Cells, Natural	Bone marrow-derived lymphocytes that possess cytotoxic properties, classically directed against transformed and virus-infected cells. Unlike T CELLS; and B CELLS; NK CELLS are not antigen specific. The cytotoxicity of natural killer cells is determined by the collective signaling of an array of inhibitory and stimulatory CELL SURFACE RECEPTORS. A subset of T-LYMPHOCYTES referred to as NATURAL KILLER T CELLS shares some of the properties of this cell type.	NK Cells,Natural Killer Cells,Cell, NK,Cell, Natural Killer,Cells, NK,Cells, Natural Killer,Killer Cell, Natural,NK Cell,Natural Killer Cell
D008297	Male		Males
D011961	Receptors, Fc	Molecules found on the surface of some, but not all, B-lymphocytes, T-lymphocytes, and macrophages, which recognize and combine with the Fc (crystallizable) portion of immunoglobulin molecules.	Fc Receptors,Fc Receptor,Receptor, Fc
D002460	Cell Line	Established cell cultures that have the potential to propagate indefinitely.	Cell Lines,Line, Cell,Lines, Cell
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D000368	Aged	A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available.	Elderly
D000375	Aging	The gradual irreversible changes in structure and function of an organism that occur as a result of the passage of time.	Senescence,Aging, Biological,Biological Aging
D013601	T-Lymphocytes	Lymphocytes responsible for cell-mediated immunity. Two types have been identified - cytotoxic (T-LYMPHOCYTES, CYTOTOXIC) and helper T-lymphocytes (T-LYMPHOCYTES, HELPER-INDUCER). They are formed when lymphocytes circulate through the THYMUS GLAND and differentiate to thymocytes. When exposed to an antigen, they divide rapidly and produce large numbers of new T cells sensitized to that antigen.	T Cell,T Lymphocyte,T-Cells,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocytes,Cell, T,Cells, T,Lymphocyte, T,Lymphocyte, Thymus-Dependent,Lymphocytes, T,Lymphocytes, Thymus-Dependent,T Cells,T Lymphocytes,T-Cell,T-Lymphocyte,Thymus Dependent Lymphocytes,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocyte