Goodwin J S, Searles R P, Tung K S
Clin Exp Immunol. 1982 May;48(2):403-10.
We measured in vitro mitogen responses, delayed hypersensitivity skin tests, circulating immune complexes (CIC) and three autoantibodies in 279 healthy and 24 chronically ill individuals over 65, and in young controls. The elderly individuals had previously undergone a complete medical examination and laboratory screening tests, and were on no medications. Compared to the results of 180 young controls tested concurrently, the healthy elderly individuals had significantly depressed PHA responses and skin test responses. In addition, CIC and autoantibodies were increased in the healthy elderly group compared to young controls. There was no difference in PHA or skin test responses between the healthy and chronically ill elderly subjects, suggesting that the major determinant of depressed cellular immunity in the elderly is age per se and not age-associated diseases. Within the elderly population, aged 65-94, there was a significant decrease in PHA response with age. Previously it has been reported that correlations exist between measurements of cellular immune response (mitogen response and skin testing) and manifestations of autoimmunity (CIC or autoantibodies) in elderly subjects. However, in this well characterized healthy elderly population we could not verify an association between the cellular immune response and either autoantibodies or immune complexes. In addition, was no increased prevalence of autoantibodies in subjects with CIC.
我们检测了279名65岁以上的健康个体、24名65岁以上的慢性病患者以及年轻对照组的体外有丝分裂原反应、迟发型超敏皮肤试验、循环免疫复合物（CIC）和三种自身抗体。这些老年个体之前接受过全面的医学检查和实验室筛查测试，且未服用任何药物。与同时检测的180名年轻对照组的结果相比，健康老年个体的PHA反应和皮肤试验反应明显降低。此外，与年轻对照组相比，健康老年组的CIC和自身抗体有所增加。健康老年受试者和慢性病老年受试者之间的PHA或皮肤试验反应没有差异，这表明老年人细胞免疫抑制的主要决定因素是年龄本身，而非与年龄相关的疾病。在65 - 94岁的老年人群中，PHA反应随年龄增长显著降低。此前有报道称，老年受试者的细胞免疫反应测量值（有丝分裂原反应和皮肤试验）与自身免疫表现（CIC或自身抗体）之间存在相关性。然而，在这个特征明确的健康老年人群中，我们无法证实细胞免疫反应与自身抗体或免疫复合物之间存在关联。此外，有CIC的受试者中自身抗体的患病率也没有增加。
