Lead poisoning influences TCR-related gene expression patterns in peripheral blood T-lymphocytes of exposed workers.
Previous studies have shown that occupational lead (Pb) exposure might influence human T-lymphocyte function, including such as changes in T-cell receptor (TCR) Vβ and Vγ repertoire and in expression of the TCRζ gene. Thus, the study here further investigated expression of TCRζ-related factors and the FcεRIγ gene (whose product has a functional role complementary to the TCRζ chain) and the Elf-1 gene whose product is involved in regulation of TCR expression. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR was used to measure expression of TCRζ, FcεRIγ, and Elf-1 genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from 17 Pb-exposed workers. Samples were collected before and after the workers had undergone chelation therapy regimens. Twenty-three healthy individuals served as controls. The results showed that TCRζ, FcεRIγ, and Elf-1 gene expression in Pb-exposed workers before chelation therapy was significantly lower than in PBMC from healthy individuals. After chelation therapy, expression of TCRζ appeared to trend toward normal levels; in comparison, lower expressions of FcεRIγ and Elf-1 persisted. In conclusion, the previously-documented impairment of T-lymphocyte functions and T- lymphocyte-mediated immune responses seen previously in response to occupational Pb exposure might be attributable, in part, to effects on TCR signaling pathways - including those related to TCRζ and FcεRIγ - and to any down-regulation of membrane TCRζ expression/activity that might be associated with Pb-induced effects on Elf-1 expression.
Institute of Hematology, Medical College, Jinan University , Guangzhou , PR China .
Yuzhe
Y
Niu
Wei
W
Yu
Su
S
Fang
Sichu
S
Liu
Zhiqian
Z
Yang
Weiwei
W
Liu
Shaohua
S
Chen
Lijian
L
Yang
Bo
B
Li
Yangqiu
Y
Li
D000328:Adult; D015913:Chelation Therapy; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D036383:Ephrin-A2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
D036383:Ephrin-A2; C475664:FCER1A protein, human; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D017455:Receptors, IgE; C054979:antigen T cell receptor, zeta chain; D004492:Edetic Acid
Chelation therapy; Elf-1; FcεRIγ; TCRζ; gene expression; lead poisoning