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Specific Anti-Influenza Antibody Synthesis and Aging: In Vitro Effects of Thymosin

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Viruses, Immunity, and Immunodeficiency

Abstract

Among the wide variety of immune senescent changes that have been investigated, the age-related deficient antibody response to complex antigens (i.e., those that require T-cell interactions such as tetanus toxoid (1) or influenza antigen (2)) are of practical concern. For example, the antibody response to tetanus toxoid and influenza has been shown to be deficient in a substantial portion of otherwise normal, elderly recipients (3,4). In the present study, we have analyzed age-related changes in antibody response to influenza vaccine and tested the capacity for thymic hormones to augment specific antibody synthesis in vitro. To do this we utilized a microculture antibody synthesis enzyme-linked assay (MASELA) (5,6) specifically adapted for influenza antigen. The response to influenza vaccine was diminished in the elderly, but could be augmented in vitro in the majority by the addition of Thymosin.

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References

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© 1986 Plenum Press, New York

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Moore, A.L., Ershler, W.B., Socinski, M.A., Greene, C.J. (1986). Specific Anti-Influenza Antibody Synthesis and Aging: In Vitro Effects of Thymosin. In: Szentivanyi, A., Friedman, H. (eds) Viruses, Immunity, and Immunodeficiency. University of South Florida International Biomedical Symposia Series. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2185-9_31

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2185-9_31

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9286-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-2185-9

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