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The production of cytokines during aging, except interleukin (IL)‐2, has been neglected in humans. We measured the in vitro production of IL‐6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interferon (IFN)‐γ and IL‐1β by peripheral mononuclear cells from selected healthy young (mean age 26.8 years) and aged (mean age 80.2 years) subjects. Significant increases of IL‐6, TNF‐α and IL‐1bT levels were found in mitogen‐stimulated cultures from aged donors, occurring at 24 to 72 h after stimulation. No significant differences were observed for IFN‐γ production. Proliferative capability of cells stimulated with PHA was not impaired in aged subjects. Since the amounts of all cytokines studied were similar in unstimulated cultures from young and aged subjects, and also serum levels of TNF‐a did not differ, these data indicate that the cellular machinery for the production of these cytokines is well preserved in aging, and also that …