Establishing Age-Gender Specific Reference Values of T and B Lymphocyte Subsets in Healthy Adults Using Flow Cytometry

Abstract

Objective: Geographical, age and gender differences possibly affect the distribution of lymphocyte subsets. This study aimed to determine the distribution of T and B lymphocytes and their subsets by evaluating a larger healthy adult population in terms of gender and age. Materials and Methods: Blood samples from 118 healthy adults aged 20-60 years were evaluated using f low cytometry. Results: B cell subsets were not affected by age and gender differences; however, CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ T cell ratios were higher in women than in men. Gender and age differences did not affect the distribution of CD4⁺ T cell subsets, but increased effector memory CD45RA⁺CD8⁺ T and decreased naive CD8⁺ T were found among the group aged between 50-60 years. Additionally, regulatory T cells were found at higher levels in individuals aged between 50-60 years. Moreover, high follicular regulatory T cells in men and low follicular helper T cells in women were observed in individuals aged 50-60 years. Advanced age in females may affect the differentiation of CD4⁺ T cells to T helper type 1. Conclusion: Our results indicate that age and gender differences may affect cell distribution. Our findings may contribute to the clinical evaluation of lymphocyte subset distributions as diagnostic tests performed using flow cytometry for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of patients.

Keywords

• T lymphocytes
• B lymphocytes
• Flow cytometry
• Reference values of lymphocyte subsets

References

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