Hematopoietic Progenitors and Aging: Alterations in Granulocytic Precursors and Responsiveness to Recombinant Human G-CSF, GM-CSF, and IL-3

Abstract

Aging has little impact on the marrow content of early precursors of the neutrophil lineage. There is, however, a significant difference in the in vitro proliferative response of these cells to the lineage specific growth factor G-CSF. This alteration may account for the greater propensity in elderly populations for the development of neutropenia with severe infections and chemotherapy.