title: Autoantibodies and immunoglobulins among atomic bomb survivors.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine if exposure to atomic bomb radiation affects immune responsiveness, such as the occurrence of autoantibodies and levels of immunoglobulins. Rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody, antithyroglobulin antibody, anti-thyroid-microsomal antibody and immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE) were measured among 2,061 individuals exposed to atomic bomb radiation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki whose estimated doses ranged from 0 to 5.6 Gy. The prevalence and titers of rheumatoid factor were found to be increased in the individuals exposed to higher radiation doses. The IgA level in females and the IgM level in both sexes increased as radiation dose increased, although the effects of radiation exposure were not large. No effect of radiation was found on the prevalence of antinuclear antibody, antithyroglobulin antibody and anti-thyroid-microsomal antibody or on the levels of IgG and IgE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akiyama
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akahoshi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kodama
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shimaoka
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamakido
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood / Q000528:radiation effects; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000528:radiation effects; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000528:radiation effects; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood / Q000528:radiation effects; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood / Q000528:radiation effects*; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009689:Nuclear Warfare; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012737:Sex Factors; D017741:Survivors
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E