Alterations in lymphocyte recognition repertoire during ageing. I. Analysis of changes in immune response potential of B lymphocytes from non-immunized aged mice, and the role of accessory cells in the expression of that potential

Abstract The repertoire of specificities recognized by endogenous plaque-forming cells of young or aged mice has been examined, as well as the repertoire of specificities represented by mitogen-activated B cells of those animals. Significant changes occur in both polyclonal endogenous plaque-forming cells and polyclonal B cell responsiveness, as well as reactivity for antigens expressed on bromelain-treated mouse erythrocytes and mouse Ig-coupled sheep erythrocytes. Adoptive transfer experiments suggest that these changes reflect a role for the differentiative environment in the regulation of theB cell recognition repertoire. Additional analysis of changes in antigen-presenting cells in aged mice suggest that alterations in the manner of presentation of environmental antigens in vivo may control the expressed B cell repertoire. Indeed, under experimental conditions it has proven less easy to induced cell/macrophage restriction (for antigen presentation and induction of antibody formation) in cells of old animals than in cells of younger mice.