To determine whether T cells, like B cells, can become clonally expanded in normal individuals as a function of age, we compared the T cell V beta repertoire of cord blood to that of peripheral blood from normal donors over 65 yr of age. T cells from elderly subjects contained expanded subsets (greater than the mean+three standard deviations) of T cell receptor (TCR) V beta populations. These expanded subsets were observed primarily among CD8, but not CD4 cells, represented up to 37.5% of all CD8 cells, and were present in most elderly subjects. An expanded V beta 5.2/3 CD8 subset and a V beta 6.7a CD8 subset from separate donors were analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, cloning and sequencing of the TCR beta chain VDJ junction. In both cases the expanded subsets were mono- or oligoclonal while control CD4 populations were polyclonal. Using two-color flow cytometry it was possible to identify the expanded V beta 6.7a subset as CD8+ CD28-CD11b+ cells. In three of five random old subjects similar expansions of V beta subsets were found specifically in the CD8+ CD28- subpopulation, an interesting subset of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, known to lack proliferative responses to TCR stimuli. It is common practice to use the demonstration of clonality as a diagnostic indicator for T cell lymphoma/leukemia. In view of the high frequency of expanded T clones of T cells in normal elderly subjects the diagnostic usefulness of this test should be reexamined.
Article|
February 01 1994
Clonal populations of T cells in normal elderly humans: the T cell equivalent to "benign monoclonal gammapathy".
D N Posnett
,
D N Posnett
Department of Medicine, Cornell University Medical College, New York 10021.
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R Sinha
,
R Sinha
Department of Medicine, Cornell University Medical College, New York 10021.
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S Kabak
,
S Kabak
Department of Medicine, Cornell University Medical College, New York 10021.
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C Russo
C Russo
Department of Medicine, Cornell University Medical College, New York 10021.
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D N Posnett
Department of Medicine, Cornell University Medical College, New York 10021.
R Sinha
Department of Medicine, Cornell University Medical College, New York 10021.
S Kabak
Department of Medicine, Cornell University Medical College, New York 10021.
C Russo
Department of Medicine, Cornell University Medical College, New York 10021.
Online Issn: 1540-9538
Print Issn: 0022-1007
J Exp Med (1994) 179 (2): 609–618.
Citation
D N Posnett, R Sinha, S Kabak, C Russo; Clonal populations of T cells in normal elderly humans: the T cell equivalent to "benign monoclonal gammapathy".. J Exp Med 1 February 1994; 179 (2): 609–618. doi: https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.179.2.609
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