Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
1998-2-24
pubmed:abstractText
The causes of observed deficiencies to the humoral immune response in aged humans are unknown. Since a major source of antibody diversity is generated at the VH-D-JH junctional regions of the immunoglobulin heavy chain, we determined whether differences in junctional diversity are manifested with aging. We compared the CDR3 regions of IgM heavy chain transcripts isolated from young adult and aged humans. A PCR assay that measures CDR3 length in the majority of mu-heavy chains showed the same average size and normal range of CDR3 length in aged individuals as observed in young adults. To characterize the features of junctional diversity of aged adults in more detail, we determined the CDR3 sequences of a subset of the mu-heavy chain repertoire that utilizes members of the VH 5 family. In general CDR3 length, D family usage, and JH gene usage were similar in aged compared to young adults. Thus, in contrast to dramatic changes in heavy chain junctional diversity associated with fetal to adult development, no major differences were found between young and aged adults. Since the CDR3 repertoire generated in aged individuals appears to be as diverse as that observed in younger adults, the decline in humoral immunocompetence with aging cannot be attributed to a restriction in heavy chain junctional diversification processes.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Oct
pubmed:issn
0198-8859
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
57
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
80-92
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1997
pubmed:articleTitle
Immunoglobulin heavy chain junctional diversity in young and aged humans.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore 21201, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.