Age-Related Alterations in Basal Expression and in vitro, Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha Mediated, Upregulation of CD11b

Background: The β 2- integrin CD11b (Mac-1) plays a crucial role in the firm attachment of leucocytes to the endothelium during the inflammatory response. Objective: This study aimed to determine whether the increased incidence of infections witnessed in elderly individuals compared to their younger...

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Published in:Gerontology (Basel) 2001-07, Vol.47 (4), p.180-185
Main Authors: Armstrong, M.E., Alexander, H.D., Ritchie, J.L., McMillan, S.A., Rea, I.M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biological and medical sciences
Biomarkers - blood
Development. Metamorphosis. Moult. Ageing
Experimental Section
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
In Vitro Techniques
Inflammation
Inflammation - physiopathology
Lymphocytes - physiology
Macrophage-1 Antigen - physiology
Male
Molecular and cellular biology
Monocytes - physiology
Neutrophils - physiology
Reference Values
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - physiology
Up-Regulation - physiology
Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
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Summary:Background: The β 2- integrin CD11b (Mac-1) plays a crucial role in the firm attachment of leucocytes to the endothelium during the inflammatory response. Objective: This study aimed to determine whether the increased incidence of infections witnessed in elderly individuals compared to their younger counterparts was associated with deficiencies in basal expression and/or upregulation of CD11b. Methods: Flow cytometry was used to measure CD11b expression, before and after in vitro tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) stimulation, on neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes from healthy volunteers aged less than 36 years and Senieur-approximated 70–85 and over 85 year olds. The TNF-α levels in serum were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassay technique. Results: The basal expression of CD11b on monocytes and lymphocytes was highest in the 70–85-year-olds and lowest in the >85-year-olds. Following in vitro stimulation using low (10 IU) and high (100 IU) TNF-α concentrations, subjects >85 years consistently showed significantly lower increases in CD11b expression on each of the three cell types. The maximal increase in CD11b expression was in the 70–85-year age group for neutrophils and monocytes and in 85 years old more susceptible to infections. Alternatively, the lower levels of CD11b expression in this group may represent downregulation and protection against excess leucocyte activation within the vascular system and may, therefore, provide a mechanism for successful ageing.
ISSN:0304-324X
1423-0003
DOI:10.1159/000052795