CHARACTERISTICS OF CELLULAR AND SERUM COMPONENTS OF MUCO-SALIVARY IMMUNE COMPARTMENT IN MATURE, AGED, AND SENESCENT PERSONS

Abstract

Аbstract. The objective of present study was to determine the immunological features of immune system aging in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) in the patients at different ages (mature, aging and old) observed at a dental unit. A study of cellular spectrum and humoral factors in salivary gland secretions has been performed in a group of 106 persons (35 to 90 years old). A number of age-dependent features of the immune profile were revealed for the mucous-salivary area, thus characterizing involution events within MALT structures. Among specific markers determining intensity of MALT-associated aging, a decreased percentage of viable immune cells (below 40%), along with the prevalence of the neutrophilic granulocytes in the salivary secretions (over 98%) (with increased expression of β2-integrins); decreased counts of mononuclear cells, i.e., mononuclear cells with low expression of CD11β adhesion molecules, B-lymhocytes, and Th-lymphocytes have been revealed. Alterations in serum factors included a general decrease in complement system activity (СН50) and anaphylotoxines (С3а,С5а); elevated protein, mucine, and IgМ levels. The revealed specific features of cellular and humoral immunity within MALT-associated muco-salivary zone may be considered as a normal response connected with natural aging processes. (Med. Immunol., 2011, vol. 13, N 2-3, pp 167-174)

Keywords

• aging
• oral mucosa
• immunocytes
• immunoglobulins
• complement
• mucine