Mechanisms Involved in Age-dependent Decline of Immune Responsiveness and Apparent Resistance against Tolerance Induction in C57BL/6 Mice.

The plaque-forming antibody response of C57BL/6 mice to rabbit gamma globulin (RGG) decreases as a function of age. RGG in tolerogenic form induces tolerance of young mice but sensitizes older animals. If antigen is administered together with lipopolysaccharide, the age-dependent decline in immune responsiveness is not observed, nor are older animals sensitized by tolerogen. The age-dependent decline in immune responsiveness is due to a loss of T helper capacity; sensitization by tolerogen is attributable to a subpopulation of B cells which becomes sensitized by the tolerogen. Older animals, treated with tolerogen, show a degree of central tolerance of T cells and a relatively slight, age-dependent diminution in colchicine- or cyclophosphamide-sensitive precursors of suppressor cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]