Chronic exposure to benzene results in a unique form of dysplasia.
Hematotoxicity following chronic benzene exposure has been recognized for over a century, although the mechanism remains unknown. We describe a novel form of bone marrow dysplasia in 23 workers exposed to high concentrations of benzene. Distinguishing features of benzene-induced dysplasia include: marked dyserythropoiesis, eosinophilic dysplasia and abnormal cytoplasmic granulation of neutrophilic precursors. Hematophagocytosis, stromal degeneration and bone marrow hypoplasia are also seen. Severe bone marrow dysplasia is frequently accompanied by clonal T cell expansion and alterations in T lymphocyte subsets. No clonal cytogenetic abnormalities were observed. These results suggest that autoimmune-mediated bone marrow injury is an early or predisposing event in the pathogenesis of benzene-induced persistent hematopoietic disease.
Irons
Richard D
RD
Sino-US Joint Clinical and Molecular Laboratory, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. richard.irons@uchsc.edu
Lv
Ling
L
Gross
Sherilyn A
SA
Ye
Xibiao
X
Bao
Liming
L
Wang
Xiao Qin
XQ
Ryder
John
J
Armstrong
Thomas W
TW
Zhou
Yimei
Y
Miao
Lizhaung
L
Le
Anh T
AT
Kerzic
Patrick J
PJ
Ni
Weimin
W
Fu
Hua
H
D000328:Adult; D015551:Autoimmunity; D001554:Benzene / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000473:pathology; D001855:Bone Marrow Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010587:Phagocytosis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology
D001554:Benzene