title: Late effects of the Chernobyl radiation accident on T cell-mediated immunity in cleanup workers.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory on Thymus Research, Department of Immunology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Av. Brasil, 4365-Manguinhos 21045-900 Brazil.
authors.forename: Oleg
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kuzmenok
authors.forename: Michail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Potapnev
authors.forename: Svetlana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Potapova
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Smolnikova
authors.forename: Valeriy
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rzheutsky
authors.forename: Alexandr A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Yarilin
authors.forename: Wilson
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Savino
authors.forename: Igor M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Belyakov
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD