title: Changes in T-lymphocyte subpopulations and natural killer cells following exposure to ambient levels of nitrogen dioxide.
abstract: The effects of ambient levels of NO2 on murine splenic T-lymphocyte subpopulations and natural killer cells were investigated. AKR/cum and C57BL/6J mice were exposed, in inhalation chambers, to 0.25 ppm NO2 for 7 wk and 0.35 ppm NO2 for 12 wk, respectively. Monoclonal antibody technology was used in conjunction with fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis to detect quantitative changes in total T-lymphocytes (Thy-1.2-positive), mature T-lymphocytes (Lyt-1-positive), T-helper/inducer lymphocytes (L3T4-positive), T-cytotoxic/suppressor lymphocytes (Lyt-2-positive), and natural killer cells (asialo GM1-positive). Percentages of all T-lymphocyte subpopulations tested and natural killer cells were lower in spleens of mice exposed to NO2 compared to filtered-air controls. This is the first report providing evidence linking alterations in T-lymphocyte subpopulations and natural killer cells to NO2 exposure at ambient levels. Changes in T-lymphocyte subpopulations detected by FACS and correlated to impaired immune function may provide an extremely sensitive means of demonstrating NO2-induced changes in the immune system.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002469:Cell Separation; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008806:Mice, Inbred AKR; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide