Mechanism of the age-related decline in lymphocyte proliferation: role of IL-2 production and protein synthesis

Exp Gerontol. 1983;18(6):451-60. doi: 10.1016/0531-5565(83)90024-4.

Abstract

Although an age-related decline in mitogen-induced proliferation in spleen lymphocytes has been reported by numerous investigators, the molecular mechanism responsible is unknown. In this study, we compared the mitogen-induced proliferation, IL-2 production, and protein synthesis in spleen lymphocytes isolated from 4, 12, 20, and 30 month-old male Fischer F344 rats. IL-2 production by Con A-stimulated lymphocytes, as determined by the ability of the culture supernatants to support the growth of cultured T cells, declined over 72% between 4 and 30 months of age. This decline in IL-2 production paralleled a similar decrease in proliferation. Early protein synthesis by Con A-stimulated spleen lymphocytes was determined by measuring the incorporation of [3H]-valine into acid insoluble material, and this dropped 74% between 4 and 30 months of age. There was a strong correlation between the age-related decline in the three parameters tested. Based on these results, we propose that the age-related decline in protein synthesis may be the molecular basis for the similar decrease in IL-2 production and mitogenesis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aging*
  • Animals
  • Concanavalin A / pharmacology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis*
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Male
  • Protein Biosynthesis*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred F344

Substances

  • Interleukin-2
  • Concanavalin A