Late effects of the Chernobyl radiation accident on T cell-mediated immunity in cleanup workers.
The main goal of this investigation was to evaluate the abnormal T-cell immunity in cleanup workers who took part in the cleanup after the Chernobyl accident in 1986. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) of apparently healthy cleanup workers (n = 134) were used to analyze the phenotype and proliferative response to mitogens in vitro. Evaluation of the MNC phenotype of cleanup workers did not reveal a significant disturbance in the T-cell subpopulation content except for an increase in CD3+CD16+56+ (NKT) cells. Immunophenotyping of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-activated MNCs demonstrated suppression of CD4+ T-cell propagation and augmentation of CD8+ T-cell propagation in vitro compared to control individuals. DNA synthesis in the MNCs of cleanup workers was markedly inhibited after activation for 3 days with suboptimal concentrations of PHA, pokeweed mitogen and PMA. In contrast to control individuals, the monocytes of cleanup workers were able to stimulate the proliferation of T cells from healthy individuals but inhibited the proliferation of T cells from cleanup workers. This study affords a better understanding of the response of MNCs to stimulation with suboptimal concentrations of PHA and provides an approach to a more accurate analysis of the immunological disorders found after exposure to radiation from Chernobyl-related activities.
Kuzmenok
Oleg
O
Laboratory on Thymus Research, Department of Immunology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Av. Brasil, 4365-Manguinhos 21045-900 Brazil.
Potapnev
Michail
M
Potapova
Svetlana
S
Smolnikova
Victoria
V
Rzheutsky
Valeriy
V
Yarilin
Alexandr A
AA
Savino
Wilson
W
Belyakov
Igor M
IM
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000097:blood / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000528:radiation effects; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000528:radiation effects; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release; D002094:Republic of Belarus; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014455:Ukraine
D015703:Antigens, CD