The same age-related morphological changes have been observed in the lymph node and spleen lymphocytes of old untreated Wistar rats and CBA/Ca mice. The same age-related changes were also observed in the peripheral lymphocytes of healthy humans. The most important changes were seen in the mitochondria of the lymphoid cells. They were sometimes swollen; the mitochondrial cristae disappeared and were replaced by myelin-like forms or filamentous structures. The mitochondrial changes developed only in non-labelled lymphoid cells, presumably the T cells. It is suggested that lymphocytes be used as a morphological model for the study of aging and its modification.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Active immunization against tick-borne encephalitis in the elderly].

30 healthy young persons and 19 healthy aged people (between 60-75 years) were vaccinated against tick-borne meningoencephalitis virus. The antibody production of the young people was compared to that of the aged ones following vaccination. It has been found that the antibody production of the aged people was delayed, and more elderly people than young ones showed an increase of the IgM-bearing lymphocytes after vaccination. The morphological changes of the circulating lymphocytes were identified with electron microscope. The presence of cytoplasmic inclusions called parallel tubular arrays could be observed in the course of immunization. The inclusions were not found before vaccination, and it is suggested that the inclusions are related to the in-vivo antigen stimulation.

Adult↗