Immune reactivity during aging. I. T-helper dependent and independent antibody responses to different antigens, in vivo and in vitro.

The immunological status during aging was assessed by measuring the antibody response of the long-lived (C3H/eb X C57Bl/6J)F1 mice to various antigens in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, a decrease in antibody production to DNP and NIP haptenic determinants coupled on to BGG, as well as the response to SRBC, was observed. The decline was more pronounced in the IgG as compared to IgM antibodies. The results were recorded when various parameters such as antigen dose and kinetics of the response, were considered. Reduction of the antibody response was also noted when PVP was employed as immunogen. Similar results were noted when the responses to SRBC and DNP--polylysine were induced and followed in spleen organ cultures. In all of these experimental systems, the peak response was observed in mice 6--12 months old. From then on a gradual decrease was manifested, mice 30--36 months old producing significantly low responses. The results demonstrate that decrease in antibody production is expressed in the isolated spleen tissue in the same manner as in the intact animal. Furthermore, they were interpreted as indicating that the lesion may be at the T helper and the B cell compartments.