CYTOKINE PRODUCTION IN VARICELLA ZOSTER VIRUS-STIMULATED LIMITING DILUTION LYMPHOCYTE-CULTURES

Human blood lymphocytes were stimulated with varicella tester virus (V ZV) antigen in limiting dilution cultures and the amounts of interfero n-gamma (IFN-gamma) and IL-4 measured in the supernatants. The results indicate that up to 85% of proliferating cells of young adults produc e IFN-gamma and up to 10% make IL-4. At limiting dilution, few if any wells were positive for both IFN-gamma and IL-4. The amount of IFN-gam ma per well increased in the presence of antibody to IL-4, but anti-IF N-gamma did not increase IL-4 production. The frequency of wells conta ining IFN-gamma was lower in subjects < 19 or > 55 years of age, and t he amounts of IFN-gamma in positive wells was significantly lower in c ultures of the older subjects' lymphocytes. The frequency of IL-4-maki ng cells did not fall significantly with age. The data suggest that th e age-related decline in the frequency of blood T cells which responds to VZV affects mainly the cells with a Th1-like cytokine phenotype.