Cytokine Production in Response to Stimulation with Tetanus Toxoid, <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosi</i><i>s</i> and Influenza Antigens in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and T Cell Lines from Healthy Elderlies

Abstract

Little is known about the type 1/type 2 T cell dichotomy in old age. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and T cell lines from old and young healthy individuals were therefore analyzed for their production of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin 4 (IL-4). Tetanus toxoid (TT), purified protein derivative of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, inactivated influenza virus and OKT-3 were used as stimuli. RT-PCR and ELISA determinations were performed. When stimulated with TT, PBMC from young and old individuals expressed IL-4, but produced little IFN-γ. All other stimuli induced a pronounced IFN-γ production, while little or no IL-4 was expressed. T cell lines, regardless of their specificity or the donor age, produced IFN-γ and IL-4. The quantities of cytokines produced did not significantly differ between the age groups. The capacity of the immune system to trigger type 1 and type 2 T cell responses is thus well preserved in old age.

Early DNA Synthesis and Cytokine Expression in the Nickel Activation of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Nickel-Allergic Subjects

“…This is in accordance with reports from previous studies [23, 24], where it was found that repeated antigenic stimulation was required to elicit significant IL-4 secretion under in vitro conditions when using primary cultures of T cells. This is in contrast to the findings in T cell lines, where there was pronounced IL-4 production in response to antigens [25]. …”

Effect of age on cytokine production in humans

“…Stimulation of PBMCs with non-specific stimuli such as mitogens, anti-CD3, or the superantigen TSST resulted in age-related decreased IFNy production in three cases [18,35,36], no difference in another four cases [31,38,39,40] and an increase in two cases [37,Bernstein,et al submitted]. The four studies using the largest number of subjects [31,35,38, Bernstein et al submitted] all used PBMCs from healthy elderly subjects that were stimulated with PHA, and still reported three different outcomes.…”

“…In three of the studies evaluating PBMC stimulation with specific stimuli, two reported no significant agerelated changes in IFNyproduction [27,40]. The largest study, in which 270 elderly were evaluated for IFNy production in response to trivalent subvirion influenza vaccine before and after vaccination, indicated that the elderly produced significantly lower I FNylevels both preand post-vaccination [41].…”

“…Similar, but non-significant, trends have been reported in the smaller studies. For example, Bodnar and colleagues [40] stimulated PBMC from 16 young and 16 elderly subjects with trivalent whole inactivated influenza vaccine, PPD, or tetanus toxoid and found in all cases non-significantly lower I FNy production in the elderly compared to the young. In our experience, a significantly greater number of elderly than young do not produce detectable levels of IFNy after stimulating with specific antigen such as influenza vaccine.…”

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Associated with Influenza A Virus Infection in an Adult Renal Allograft Recipient: Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…Taking these findings into consideration, an etiologic relationship between the influenza A virus infection and the development of HUS is highly probable in our patient. Inactivated influenza virus has been reported to stimulate interferon production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells [39], and interferon therapy is known to cause HUS-like glomerulopathy [40]. Although the precise mechanisms by which influenza virus triggers HUS have not been elucidated, an altered immune system following viral infection may be responsible.…”