THE MITOGEN-INDUCED GENERATION OF INTERFERON-GAMMA PRODUCING CELLS INCULTURES OF RHESUS-MONKEY PERIPHERAL-BLOOD MONONUCLEAR-CELLS IS AGE-DEPENDENT

An enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent spot (ELISPOT) assay has been develop ed for measuring the frequency of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) produci ng cells in rhesus monkeys. Aged monkeys revealed, upon mitogenic stim ulation, a significantly higher percentage of IFN-gamma secreting peri pheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) compared to young animals. No co rrelation was found between the frequency of IFN-gamma producing PBMC and the mitogen-driven proliferation, indicating that in rhesus monkey s no direct correlation exists between these two activation parameters .