Decline in Mixed Lymphocyte Reactivity of Spleen Cells from Aged Mice of a Long-Lived Strain

Abstract

The mixed lymphocyte reaction was measured in male C57BL/6J mice 21 to 25 weeks, 90 to 94 weeks, and 150 weeks of age. A statistically significant decline in reactivity was noted for the oldest group of mice, compared to both younger groups. These results are interpreted in relation to survival patterns and age-specific incidences of spontaneous neoplasia in this long-lived strain.