title: Autoantibodies to neurofilaments (NF), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and myelin basic protein (MBP) in workers exposed to lead.
abstract: An expanded follow-up assessment of the autoantibody response to neuronal and astroglial autoantigens (NF68; NF160; NF200; MBP; GFAP) as early markers of neurotoxicity was performed in male workers exposed to lead (Pb) of a battery factory (n=50) and a matched reference group (R) of workers at a food packing plant (n=39). Mean age, years of exposure and blood lead (PbB ug/dl) (+/-SD) for lead and R, respectively, were: Age:39 +/- 6; 41 +/- 7; Yrs. Exposed: 14 +/- 6:0; PbB: 32 +/- 11: 16 +/- 5 percent with detectable titers to nervous system proteins in the Pb and R populations, respectively, were: Anti-NF68: 59; 17; Anti-NF160: 28; 15; Anti-NF200: 25; 0; Anti-GFAP: 90; 20; Anti-MBP: 16; 4. Autoantibodies to nervous system proteins predominated in workers occupationally exposed to Pb compared to R. Anti-NF68 and GFAP titers were the most frequently encountered. Anti-NF68 titers were significantly correlated with years of exposure (r = 0.538, p < 0.0001) and with PbB (r=0.325, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the number of detectable autoantibody types correlated with clinical scores of sensorimotor deficits (r = 0.459, p < 0.0001). This study suggests that autoantibodies provide a promising biomarker of neurotoxicity while providing information on subcellular targets. It also raises concerns of toxicant-induced autoimmune neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt.
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Moneim
authors.forename: M Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Shamy
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: el-Gazzar
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: el-Fawal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000276:immunology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D020711:Threshold Limit Values; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein