Aging influence on the E-rosette forming cells, spontaneous cell mediated cytotoxicity, and antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity in humans.

In 131 adults and 107 aging healthy subjects of both sexes, the percentage of the T lymphocytes in peripheral blood and the cytotoxic activities of NK and K cells, were determined. No age-related differences have been found in the number of peripheral blood lymphocytes, the binding of NK cells to the K562 targets, the percentage of E rosette forming cells and the ADCC level. An increased proportion of T suppressor lymphocytes in elderly subjects and a large inter- and intra-individual variation of NK cells activity in both adult and aged subjects were found.