Decrease of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in children exposed to environmental lead.
The effects of environmental lead on the immune system of young children were assessed by determining the peripheral blood lymphocytes CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, B(CD19+) counts, and natural killer (CD16+CD56+) cells in 35 preschool children whose mean blood lead level was 140.6 microg/L. The results were compared to an age- and sex-matched control group with a mean blood lead level of 64.3 microg/L. Compared to the controls, a significant reduction in the percentage of CD4+ cells and a significant increase of CD8+ cells were seen in the high-lead group. The negative correlation between the percentage of CD4+ cells and blood lead levels was found to be significant (p<0.01). These results suggest that exposure to environmental lead might result in alterations in the immune function of young children.
Li
Sun
S
The Children's Hospital of Medical College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China. hjsl@mail.hz.zj.cn
Zhengyan
Zhao
Z
Rong
Li
L
Hanyun
Cheng
C
D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000378:metabolism; D007223:Infant; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic
D018941:Antigens, CD19; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D007854:Lead