title: Alteration of cytokine profiles in uranium miners exposed to long-term low dose ionizing radiation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study is to estimate the immune function through cytokine profiles in sera of uranium mines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Antibody arrays were used to detect 50 cytokines in sera of uranium miners. Miners who had continuously worked underground for <5 years were treated as control group and those who worked for ⩾ 5 years as experimental group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 28 measurable cytokines, the release of IL-1 α , IL-1RI, IL-15, IL-3, and IP-10 were significantly upregulated in the experimental group, and no cytokine was found significantly downregulated. Other proinflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-6, and TNF α levels were slightly upregulated in the experimental group. With adjustment to age, BMI, and cigarette smoking, IL-1 α and IL-3 levels increased significantly with underground time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alteration of cytokine profiles in this study may indicate persistent inflammatory responses in uranium miners exposed to long-term low doses radiation.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 Xinkang Street, Deshengmenwai, Xicheng District, Beijing 100088, China.
authors.forename: Kun
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8244-9404
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational Medicine of Jiangxi, 336 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China.
authors.forename: YiShui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 Xinkang Street, Deshengmenwai, Xicheng District, Beijing 100088, China.
authors.forename: XiaoLiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 Xinkang Street, Deshengmenwai, Xicheng District, Beijing 100088, China.
authors.forename: ShuJie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational Medicine of Jiangxi, 336 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China.
authors.forename: QingFeng
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 Xinkang Street, Deshengmenwai, Xicheng District, Beijing 100088, China.
authors.forename: JianXiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 Xinkang Street, Deshengmenwai, Xicheng District, Beijing 100088, China.
authors.forename: QuanFu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D008906:Mining; D014501:Uranium
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D014501:Uranium