Leukocyte migration inhibition studies and neutrophil cell function during aging in Nigerians

• Published in: Mechanisms of ageing and development Vol. 85; no. 2; pp. 83 - 93
• Main Authors: Oyeyinka, Gabriel O., Salimonu, Lekan S., Ladipo, Oladapo A., Ashaye, Adeyinka O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 24.11.1995; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Aging - physiology; Aging Nigerians; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Migration Inhibition; Child; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Humans; Immunobiology; L-MIF; Leukocyte Migration-Inhibitory Factors - physiology; Leukocytes - physiology; Lymphocytes - physiology; Middle Aged; Modulation of the immune response (stimulation, suppression); Neutrophil function; Nigeria; Nigeria; Africa; L-MIF; Neutrophil function; Aging Nigerians; Human; Immunosuppression; Senescence; Migration inhibitory factor; Cellular immunity; Neutrophil; In vitro; Lymphocyte; Cell subpopulation; Phagocytosis
• ISSN: 0047-6374; 1872-6216
• DOI: 10.1016/0047-6374(95)01650-3

In this study, in vitro cell-mediated immune response was analysed in 150 healthy Nigerians between 6 and 95 years old by the leukocyte migration inhibitory factor (L-MIF) test. Lymphocytes were activated with the mitogen concanavalin A and candida, measles virus and mycobacterial antigens. Nonspecific cellular immune capacity was studied by the Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test. Numerical estimates of leukocytes and lymphocyte subpopulations were done. Mean L-MIF activity obtained with the four lymphocyte activators decreased with rising age indicating a progressive decline in cellular immune function with age. There was no significant age-related change in formazan positivity rate for both unstimulated and stimulated NBT tests. No age-related change in number was observed for any of the leucocyte and lymphocyte subpopulations. These results show that cell-mediated response in Nigerians immunity declines, but phagocyte function is unchanged during aging. Lymphocyte depletion or numerical alteration in resting T cell subsets could not be demonstrated to be responsible for depressed cell-mediated immunity in aging Nigerians.