The aging mouse exhibits a severely depressed immune response. Most of the data in support of this statement have been acquired in aging virgin mice. However, recently we have shown that with respect to two major parameters of the immune response, macrophage activation by adjuvants and antibody formation, that although aging female virgin mice are poor responders, aging female breeder mice have approached young adult levels of activity. Consequently, this study will explore the means by which aging breeder mice respond to immune stimuli and aging virgin mice do not with experiments testing (a) the time span over which the defect in immunity is acquired by the virgin mice, (b) the levels of interleukin I and II in aging breeder and virgin mice, (c) whether levels of prolactin, estrogens and testosterone in the two groups of aging mice can be correlated with the immune response differences, (d) whether the macrophage and antibody response of aging virgin mice can be restored by cytokine supplementation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AG006198-03
Application #
3117098
Study Section
Immunological Sciences Study Section (IMS)
Project Start
1987-08-01
Project End
1990-07-31
Budget Start
1989-08-01
Budget End
1990-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
168559177
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55455
Chen, Y; Johnson, A G (1993) In vivo activation of macrophages by prolactin from young and aging mice. Int J Immunopharmacol 15:39-45
Johnson, A G; Tomai, M A; Chen, Y F et al. (1991) A comparison of the immunomodulating properties of two forms of monophosphoryl lipid A analogues. J Immunother (1991) 10:398-404
Chen, Y F; Solem, L; Johnson, A G (1991) Activation of macrophages from aging mice by detoxified lipid A. J Leukoc Biol 49:416-22
Odean, M J; Frane, C M; Van derVieren, M et al. (1990) Involvement of gamma interferon in antibody enhancement by adjuvants. Infect Immun 58:427-32
Tomai, M A; Johnson, A G (1989) T cell and interferon-gamma involvement in the adjuvant action of a detoxified endotoxin. J Biol Response Mod 8:625-43