Comparative study of the morphological changes in lymphocytes of elderly individuals and centenarians.

The number of white blood cells, the morphological changes of the peripheral lymphocytes and some immunological variables were examined in 118 centenarians and in 499 healthy subjects of 60-89 years of age. There was no change in the absolute number of leucocytes, lymphocytes, or T or B cells with age. The occurrence of a myelin-like structure in the mitochondria and the presence of lipofuscin in the cytoplasm of lymphocytes increased with age and showed a correlation with the absolute number of T cells. A correlation could be observed between the absolute number of B cells, serum IgG level and the presence of antinuclear factor.