EFFECT OF AGING ON THE IMMUNE RESPONSE

老年人对感染易感性增加的基础是 从以下观点进行研究：在此期间发生递减 免疫系统中细胞共同发挥作用的能力的老化 相互作用的目的是对挑战做出有效的免疫反应。 计划一种综合的方法，在这种方法中，淋巴细胞和 淋巴因子的产生和/或反应性将得到特别的 注意，因为它们代表了淋巴样细胞 交流。其中一个项目涉及衰老对增殖剂的影响 和记忆B细胞的再生能力与 小鼠淋巴组织的生发中心。第二个项目分析 朗格汉斯的表面性质、数量和功能活性 衰老小鼠和人皮肤中的细胞以及这些细胞的能力 在暴露于紫外线照射和 皮质类固醇。第三个项目侧重于功能性活动和 小鼠不同T细胞亚群之间的相互关系，包括淋巴因子 产生、细胞毒性和抑制活性。第四个项目 建议研究老年小鼠胸腺再生的能力 对损伤的反应，接受移居的前胸腺细胞并支持他们的 差异化。在第五个项目中，将进行一项研究，在人类和 白介素1的产生与小鼠免疫功能的关系 老年人对发烧的反应以及对感染的影响 在这一过程中应对皮质类固醇产生的压力。

The basis for the increased susceptibility of the aged to infections will be studied from the standpoint that a progressive decrease occurs during aging in the ability of cells in the immune system to function together and to interact for the purpose of an effective immune response to challenge. An integrated approach is planned in which receptors of lymphoid cells and lymphokine production and/or responsiveness will receive particular attention, as they represent the major means by which lymphoid cells communicate. One project concerns the effect of aging on the proliferative and regenerative capacity of memory B cells as related to the generation of germinal centers in lymphoid tissue of mice. The second project analyzes the surface properties, numbers and functional activities of Langerhans cells in the skin of aged mice and humans and the ability of these cells to return to normal after exposure to agents such as UV-irradiation and corticosteroids. The third project focuses on the functional activity and interrelation between various T cell subsets in mice, including lymphokine production, cytotoxic and suppressor activities. The fourth project proposes to study the ability of the thymus in aged mice to regenerate in response to injury, to receive immigrant prothymocytes and to support their differentiation. In the fifth project a study will be made, in humans and mice, of the relationship between the production of IL-1 and the ability of the aged to respond with fever to infections, as well as of the influence of corticosteroid production in response to stress on this process.