Ambient level ozone effects on subpopulations of thymocytes and spleen T lymphocytes.
The effects of ozone on thymocyte and spleen T lymphocyte subpopulations were studied. Balb/c mice were exposed to clean air or to 0.3 +/- 0.05 ppm ozone for 1-3 wk. Thymocytes and spleen T cells were stained with fluorochrome conjugated monoclonal antibodies against surface differentiation markers and/or propidium iodide for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The cells were then analyzed by fluorescence activated cell sorter. The percentages of certain thymocyte and spleen T lymphocyte subtypes and DNA synthesizing spleen T cells were lower following 1 wk of ozone exposure. After 3 wk exposure, the thymocyte percentages were higher in ozone-exposed mice, whereas the absolute number remained lower, and spleen T lymphocytes showed no changes. The findings suggest that short-term ozone inhalation can affect the T cell immune system adversely, particularly the CD4+ cells.
Li
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AF
Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
Richters
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001273:Atmosphere Exposure Chambers; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010126:Ozone / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity*; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D010126:Ozone