Decreases of natural killer cells and T-lymphocyte subpopulations and increases of B lymphocytes following a 5-day occupational exposure to mixed organic solvents.

The authors examined the effects of organic solvents on lymphocyte subpopulations in blood. Natural killer and T-lymphocyte subpopulations and B (CD19+) -lymphocytes were measured with flow cytometry in 16 male rotogravure printers on a Friday and on the following Monday. Numbers of all 3 subpopulations of natural killer cells (i.e., CD57+ CD16+, CD57- CD16+, and CD57+ CD16- cells), 2 subpopulations of T lymphocytes (CD4+ CD45RA+ and total CD8+ cells), and total lymphocytes on Friday were significantly fewer than those found on the following Monday. Conversely, the number of B lymphocytes on Friday was significantly larger than the number on Monday. The number of B lymphocytes was significantly correlated with blood toluene levels on Friday. The alteration in the number of CD57+ CD16+ NK cells from Friday to the following Monday was correlated inversely with the corresponding change in exposure level of toluene on Friday. The authors suggest that the effects of mixed organic solvents (primarily toluene) are recoverable decreases of natural killer cells and T lymphocytes and increases in B lymphocytes.     

Increase in Memory (CD4+CD29+ and CD4+CD45RO+) T and Naive (CD4+CD45RA+)T-Cell Subpopulations in Smokers

To examine the effects of smoking on lymphocyte subpopulations, we measured the following cell subpopulations: CD4+ T-cell subpopulations (i.e., CD4+CD29+, CD4+ CD45RO+, and CD4+CD45RA+ cells); CD8+ T-cell subpopulations (i.e., CD8+CD11a+ and CD8+CD11b+ cells); and natural killer cell subpopulations (i.e., CD16+CD57-, CD16+CD57+, and CD16-CD57+ cells). We measured these subpopulations, together with total CD4+ T, total CD8+T, total CD3+T, B (CD19+), and total lymphocytes, in 10 male heavy smokers, 38 male light-to-moderate smokers, and 33 male nonsmokers. The mean ages were 30 y, 31 y, and 32 y, respectively, and ages did not vary significantly among the smokers. CD4+CD29+ and CD4+CD45RO+ (memory T) cells in heavy smokers were significantly more numerous than those in light-to-moderate smokers and nonsmokers. Also, these memory T-cell subpopulations were significantly more numerous in light-to-moderate smokers than in non-smokers. The number of CD4+CD45RA+ (naive T) cells was significantly larger in heavy smokers than nonsmokers; numbers of CD4+CD45RO+ T and CD4+CD29+ T cells (memory T cells) were significantly correlated with daily cigarette consumption. Numbers of CD3+ T, CD4+ T, CD19+ B, and total lymphocytes in heavy smokers were significantly larger than in nonsmokers. There were significantly more CD3+ T, CD4+ T, and total lymphocytes in light-to-moderate smokers than in nonsmokers. The numbers of CD4+ T lymphocytes in heavy smokers were significantly larger than in light-to-moderate smokers. Perhaps CD4+ T cell subpopulations, especially memory T cells, are most susceptible to the effects of smoking on lymphocyte sub-populations.     

Increase in CD57 + CD16 - lymphocytes in workers exposed to benzidine and beta-naphthylamine: assessment of natural killer cell subpopulations

Previously, we found a decrease in CD4+CD45RA+T lymphocytes in workers exposed to the aromatic amines (AAs) [benzidine (BZ) and beta naphthylamine (BNA)]. For further investigation of the effects of AAs on lymphocyte subpopulations, we measured natural killer (NK) cell subpopulations using two-color staining with anti-Leu7 (CD57) and anti-Leu11 (CD16) monoclonal antibodies in peripheral blood in 78 male dyestuff workers. The workers had been exposed to AAs before 1972 at a chemical plant, either in the production of AAs (40 workers, high-exposure group) or in other work that involved handling dye-stuffs (38 workers, low-exposure group). The controls were 30 “healthy” male volunteers without a history of occupational exposure to AAs or hazardous chemicals. The number of CD57+CD16-cells in the high-exposure group was significantly higher than that in the controls (P<0.01, analysis of covariance with age as a covariate). No significant differences were found in CD57+CD16-, CD57+CD16+ and CD57-CD16+NK cells between the low-exposure group and the controls. It is suggested that a decrease in the number of CD4+ T lymphocytes following exposure to AAs might be compensated by the increase in CD57+CD16- cells, i.e. circulating peripheral lymphocytes with poor NK cell activity.     

Effects of smoking and Japanese cedar pollinosis on lymphocyte subpopulations

Approximately 10-30% of the Japanese population suffer from Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollinosis in the spring. To date, the effects of this pollinosis on lymphocyte subpopulations have not been examined epidemiologically. To examine the effects of smoking and Japanese cedar pollinosis on lymphocyte subpopulations, we used flow cytometry to measure CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte subpopulations, natural-killer cell subpopulations, B(CD19+) lymphocytes, and total lymphocytes in 61 smokers and 51 nonsmokers. Some of these individuals had histories of pollinosis during November 1993-an off-season for Japanese cedar pollination. Our findings suggested that (a) CD4+ T-lymphocyte subpopulations (i.e., CD4+CD29+, CD4+CD45RA+, and CD4+ CD45RO+ cells) together with total CD4+ T, total T, and total lymphocytes, were increased by the effects of smoking; (b) CD8dim+CD11a+T, and CD8+CD11bt, and CD57+CD16+ natural killer cells, together with total CD8+CD11 a+ T and total CD8+ T lymphocytes, were increased by the effects of pollinosis on smokers, even though no lymphocyte subpopulations were increased by only the pollinosis effects; (c) CD4+CD29+T and CD8dimCD11a+ T lymphocytes were increased by the effects of smoking on pollinosis, and (d) CD4+CD29+ T and CD4+CD45RO+ T lymphocytes, CD8dim+CD11 a+ T, and CD8+CD11b+ T lymphocytes and CD57+CD16+ natural killer cells, together with total CD4+ T, total T (CD3+), total CD8+CD11a+, total CD8+ T, and total lymphocytes, were increased by the combined effects of smoking and pollinosis.     

Decrease of suppressor-inducer (CD4+ CD45RA) T lymphocytes and increase of serum immunoglobulin G due to perceived job stress in Japanese nuclear electric power plant workers

To clarify the effects of perceived job stress on the immune system, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 116 male Japanese workers of a nuclear electric power plant (age, 20 to 39; mean, 31 years). Perceived job stress, i.e., psychological job demand, job control, worksite social support, and job strain, was assessed by means of the Japanese version of the Job Content Questionnaire. The job strain score was calculated as the ratio of the job demand score to the job control score. Blood samples were taken from all workers, and numbers of T and natural killer cell subpopulations, B lymphocytes, total lymphocytes and white blood cells, and serum concentrations of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE and IgD) in their blood were measured. The workers were divided into higher and lower strain groups according to their job strain scores. The number of CD4+ CD45RA+ T lymphocytes in the higher strain group having the job strain score of 0.5 or more (41 workers) was significantly smaller than that in the lower strain group having the score of less than 0.5 (75 workers). In contrast, the serum IgG concentration in the former group was significantly higher than that in the latter group (analysis of covariance with age and smoking as covariates). Also, the numbers of total CD4+ T and total T (CD3+) lymphocytes and of white blood cells in the former group were significantly smaller than those in the latter group. After controlling for age and smoking by the partial correlation coefficient in all 116 workers, the number of CD57+ CD16+ natural killer cells was inversely correlated with job demand and with job strain; the number of CD8+ T lymphocytes was positively correlated with worksite social support; and serum IgG and IgM concentrations were positively correlated with job strain. It is suggested that higher job strain decreases the number of CD4+ CD45RA+ T lymphocytes in male Japanese workers but increases serum IgG concentrations.     

Effects of occupational metallic mercury vapour exposure on suppressor-inducer (CD4+CD45RA+) T lymphocytes and CD57+CD16+ natural killer cells

Objectives: To examine the effects of metallic mercury vapour on the cellular and humoral immune system. Methods: We measured T lymphocyte and natural killer (NK) cell subpopulations, B lymphocytes, and serum immunoglobulins (i.e. IgG, IgA and IgM) together with total T (CD3+) lymphocytes and total lymphocytes in blood samples from 20 male, fluorescent-lamp makers (mercury workers) and the same number of gender-, age- and smoking-matched controls. Urinary concentrations of inorganic mercury (UHg) in the 20 workers ranged from 1.8 to 163.5 (mean 44.8) μg/l. They had been exposed to mercury vapour for 4 to 62 (mean 31) months. Results: Numbers of CD4+CD45RA+ (suppressor-inducer) T lymphocytes and total CD4+ T lymphocytes in the mercury workers were significantly smaller than those in the controls (paired-sample t-test, P < 0.01). The number of CD57+CD16+ NK cells was inversely correlated with UHg. Conclusion: It is suggested that numbers of CD4+CD45RA+ T lymphocytes and CD57+CD16+ NK cells are inversely affected by exposure to metallic mercury vapour in workers, with an average urinary inorganic mercury concentration of 45 μg/l being found. Received: 7 September 1999 / Accepted: 6 May 2000     

Changes in natural killer cell subpopulations in lead workers

To investigate the effects of lead on human immune system, we analyzed T cell subpopulations (CD4+, CD8+ and CD3+ cells), natural killer (NK) cell subpopulations (CD16+ and CD57+ cells) and B (CD19+) cells in peripheral blood in 29 male lead workers. All were engaged in manufacturing lead stearate in a chemical factory. They were aged 23–74 (mean 49) years. Their blood lead concentrations (PbB) were between 7 and 35 (mean 18) μg/dl. They were divided into two groups according to their PbB: a high-PbB group (?20?μg/dl), and a low-PbB group (<20?μg/dl). The control group consisted of 19 “healthy” male workers without a history of occupational exposure to lead or to other hazardous substances, aged 48–67 (mean 58) years. The number and percentage of CD16+ cells in the high-PbB group were significantly lower than those in the controls and in the low-PbB group. There was significant negative correlation between the number of CD16+ cells and PbB in the lead workers. The percentage of CD8+ cells in the high-PbB group was larger than that in the controls and in the low-PbB group. It is suggested that the CD16+ NK cell should be a major site of the effects of lead on lymphocyte subpopulations.     

Association of low job control with a decrease in memory (CD4+ CD45RO+) T lymphocytes in Japanese middle-aged male workers in an electric power plant

To clarify the relationship between perceived job stress and lymphocyte subpopulations, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 231 male electric power plant workers (aged 40 to 60, mean 46 years). Job stress, i.e., job control, job demands, and social support at work, was assessed by means of the Japanese version of the Job Content Questionnaire. Blood samples were taken from all the workers, and numbers of CD4+ T lymphocyte subpopulations, total CD4+ T, T (CD3+) lymphocytes, CD16CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells, total lymphocytes, and white blood cells were determined. After controlling for age, number of cigarettes smoked per day, alcohol drinking, frequency of regular exercise, job demands, and social support at work by the partial correlation coefficients, numbers of memory (CD4+ CD45RO+) T, total CD4+ T, and total T (CD3+) lymphocytes were positively correlated with job control (p<0.05). Neither job demands nor social support at work showed significant correlations with lymphocyte subpopulations. It is suggested that lower job control is associated with a decrease in the number of CD4+ CD45RO+ T lymphocytes in male middle-aged workers.     

Biomonitoring of occupational toluene exposure

Summary Toluene exposure was studied in 20 workers employed in painting and hand-finishing in an art furniture factory. Toluene was determined in the environmental air of places of work and in the alveolar air and blood of the workers. Hippuric acid and cresols were also tested in the workers' urine. Blood and urine tests were carried out before the work shift on Monday and Friday morning and at the end of the work shift on Friday afternoon. The other tests were performed on Friday afternoon only. Alveolar toluene concentrations, which were significantly correlated with environmental toluene concentrations (r= 0.6230; P < 0.01), corresponded to 19.4% of the toluene concentration in the atmosphere. Blood toluene was also found in painters on Monday morning and was significantly correlated with the other parameters. On Friday afternoon it was three times higher than the environmental toluene concentration. Urinary o-Cresol was highly correlated with toluene in the atmosphere, in blood and with hippuric acid in urine. On the basis of the slope of the regression line the ratio between urinary o-Cresol and blood toluene concentration was 0.99. At the end of the work shift urinary hippuric acid concentration was highly correlated with o-Cresoluria and with toluene in blood and in the atmosphere.     

慢性乙型肝炎患者T淋巴细胞亚群与自然杀伤细胞活性分析

目的 分析慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群与自然杀伤细胞(NK)的活性变化.方法 应用流式细胞技术分别检测35名健康入(A组)、31例乙型肝炎病毒携带(B组)、32例慢性乙型肝炎患者(C组)、30例急性乙型肝炎患者(D组),外周血T淋巴细胞CD4+、CD8+以及NK细胞,并分析各组间免疫细胞表达差异性.结果 C、D组CD4+ T淋巴细胞平均值为(32.45±10.45)％、(29.54±11.55)％较A、B组的(38.05±10.15)％、(37.17±11.22)％,明显降低,而CD8+ T淋巴细胞平均值为(36.15±11.56)％、(38.45±10.35)％,较A组的(30.14±11.25)(％),明显升高(P＜0.01); NK细胞则表现为C、D组平均值为(15.23±6.38)％、(12.07±5.95)％,较A、B组的(22.05±7.15)％、(20.32±7.67)％,明显降低(P＜0.05),以D组降低最为明显,A、B组差异无统计学意义.结论 慢性乙型肝炎和急性乙型肝炎患者外周血CD4+T淋巴细胞、NK细胞百分比降低,CD8+ T淋巴细胞升高;通过T淋巴细胞和NK细胞百分比检测可监测慢性乙型肝炎患者的免疫状态,为临床治疗时机的选择提供免疫学依据.     

Decreases in CD8+ T, naive (CD4+CD45RA+) T, and B (CD19+) lymphocytes by exposure to manganese fume

To examine the effects of exposure to manganese (Mn) on the cellular and humoral immune system in men, T lymphocyte subpopulations, B (CD19+) lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, and serum immunoglobulins (i.e., IgG, IgA and IgM) together with total T (CD3+) lymphocytes and total lymphocytes were measured in blood samples from 21 welders mainly exposed to Mn fume with blood Mn (BMn) concentrations of 0.6-2.3 (mean 1.4) microg/dl and 21 healthy controls working in the same factory (BMn concentrations: 0.7 to 1.7, mean 1.1 microg/dl). The workers engaged in welding for 6 to 36 (mean 17) yr. All the study subjects were divided into 3 equally sized groups (n=14 for each group) according to BMn concentrations. Numbers of CD8+ T, total T (CD3+), B (CD19+), and total lymphocytes were significantly lower in high-BMn group than those in low-BMn group; the numbers of CD8+ T lymphocytes were significantly lower in moderate-BMn group compared to low-BMn group. After adjusting for age and smoking, significant inverse correlations between BMn concentrations and CD4+CD45RA+ T, CD4+ T, CD8+ T, CD3+ T, and total lymphocytes were found. We conclude that T lymphocytes, especially CD8+ and CD4+CD45RA+ T lymphocytes, as well as CD19+ B lymphocytes are affected by exposure to Mn fume.     

应用CIK细胞治疗子宫内膜癌患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群和NK细胞变化的临床观察

目的:观察应用细胞因子诱导杀伤细胞(cytokine-induced killer cells,CIK)联合化疗、内分泌治疗等治疗子宫内膜癌的临床疗效。方法:子宫内膜癌患者35例给予联合应用CIK细胞生物治疗6个疗程,其中11例患者TP(紫杉醇+顺铂)化疗联合CIK细胞生物治疗,15例患者醋酸甲地孕酮内分泌治疗联合CIK细胞生物治疗,9例患者单纯应用CIK细胞生物治疗。通过流式细胞术检测治疗前后患者T淋巴细胞亚群CD3+、CD4+、CD4+/CD8+比值以及NK细胞比例、KPS评分等指标变化,用统计学方法进行分析。结果:35例子宫内膜癌患者经联合CIK细胞生物治疗后,CD3+T细胞无显著变化,CD4+辅助T细胞显著增加,CD4+/CD8+比值显著升高,部分患者CD3-/CD16+56+的NK细胞较治疗前升高但无统计学意义,患者平均KPS评分提高10分(P<0.05)。结论:CIK细胞可以提高子宫内膜癌患者机体免疫功能,改善患者一般状态。     

347例HIV/AIDS患者外周血免疫细胞表达水平的临床意义

目的 分析HIV/AIDS患者外周血免疫细胞的表达水平随CD4+淋巴细胞数量、白蛋白含量、HIV-RNA载量以及合并感染的变化情况,探讨其检测的临床意义。方法 回顾性分析347例HIV/AIDS患者外周血的临床资料,对CD4+、CD8+、B淋巴细胞、自然杀伤细胞(NK)的绝对数、白蛋白(ALB)含量、HIV-RNA载量以及梅毒螺旋体抗体(TP)、乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)和丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)抗体的检测结果进行统计学分析。结果 CD4+含量降低组的HIV/AIDS患者CD8+、B、NK细胞的表达水平低于正常组患者(P<0.01),CD8+、NK、B细胞的含量与CD4+数量呈正相关(P<0.05);白蛋白含量降低组的HIV/AIDS患者CD4+、CD8+、B、NK细胞的表达水平低于正常组的患者(P<0.01),白蛋白含量与CD4+、CD8+、B、NK细胞的数量呈正相关(P<0.01);HIV-RNA阳性患者CD4+、CD8+、B、NK细胞的表达水平低于阴性患者(P<0.01),合并感染率为27.9%,高于阴性患者22.5%(P<0.05),HIV-RNA载量与CD4+、B淋巴细胞含量呈负相关(P<0.05)。结论 CD8+、B、NK细胞的表达水平以及合并感染率与疾病的进展密切相关,对于新发现的HIV/AIDS患者,同时检测血清中TP/HBV/HCV抗体,能准确地掌握合并感染情况,有利于实施个体化治疗方案。     

Flow cytometric analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations in the spleen and thymus of mice exposed to an acute immunosuppressive dose of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)

The objective of the present studies was to determine if acute exposure to an immunotoxic dose of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) produces alterations in the expression of lymphocyte surface markers as measured by multiparameter flow cytometry. The immunotoxicity of a single oral dose of TCDD was assessed by the anti-SRBC PFC response; an ED50 of 0.74 micrograms/kg was determined. Subpopulations in the spleen and thymus of C57B1/6 mice were analyzed 2 days following exposure to 2 micrograms/kg TCDD. In addition, splenic lymphocyte subsets were examined on Days 1-4 following SRBC challenge of mice treated with 0, 2, or 5 micrograms/kg TCDD. T and B cells were identified by single parameter analysis of Thy 1.2 and Ig expression. T cell subsets were defined by dual parameter analysis of CD4 and CD8 expression. In TCDD-treated mice, the percentage and the total number of double-positive CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes were significantly decreased while the percentage but not the total number of double-negative CD4- CD8- thymocytes was significantly increased. No changes in the percentage or total number of single positive (CD4+ CD8- or CD4- CD8+) thymocyte subsets were observed. In contrast to the thymus, lymphocyte subsets in the spleen were not significantly altered in percentage or total number 2 days following acute TCDD exposure. When splenic lymphocytes were analyzed daily following SRBC challenge, Ig+, Thy 1.2+, and CD4+ CD8- subpopulations remained relatively unchanged in both control and TCDD-treated animals. A small but significant decrease in the percentage of CD4- CD8+ T cells was observed on Day 3 in mice treated with 2 or 5 micrograms/kg TCDD when compared to that of vehicle-treated mice. The total number of CD4- CD8+ splenocytes was also significantly lower in the 5-micrograms/kg group on Day 3. However, this effect appeared to result from an elevation of the CD4- CD8+ subset in the controls rather than from a reduction in the TCDD-treated groups. Double-positive (CD4+ CD8+) lymphocytes were not detected in either control or TCDD-treated spleens. These results indicate that an acute dose of TCDD which reduced the splenic anti-SRBC response by 65-80% did not cause detectable changes in major splenic lymphocyte subpopulations. This is an important finding from the standpoint of utilizing lymphocyte subset analysis to screen for potential immunotoxic effects of TCDD. Specifically, the absence of subset changes does not preclude the presence of functional immunosuppression.     

Effects of dexamethasone on selective lymphocyte subpopulations in hypercortisolemic patients with anorexia nervosa and with bulimia nervosa: Preliminary report

The studies reported here describe the effects of intravenous (IV) administration of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX) on certain neuroendocrine and immunological measures in hypercortisoiemic patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and with bulimia nervosa (BN). The results demonstrate that failure to suppress cortisol levels after DEX administration in patients with AN is associated with failure to reduce the level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), the ratio of CD4-to-CD8 lymphocytes, the percent and number of circulating CD4 lymphocytes, and the percent and number of virgin CD4 cells (CD4+CD45RA+). Administration of DEX to patients with BN suppressed plasma ACTH and cortisol levels, reduced the CD4/CD8 ratio and the percent and number of CD4 and of CD4 + CD45RA+ lymphocytes, and increased the percent and number of circulating CD8 lymphocytes. Administration of DEX failed to alter other immune measures in either patient population, including circulating populations of B and natural killer cells, the proliferative response to T-cell mitogen, and the number of glucocorticoid receptors in circulating lymphocytes.     

燃煤型地方性砷中毒患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群的改变及意义

[目的]了解燃煤污染型地方性砷中毒患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群的变化,探讨其在砷中毒发生发展中的意义。[方法]中毒组为53名燃煤型砷中毒患者,暴露组为7名砷暴露者,对照组为32名健康者。从中毒组选取22例患者（一般病变组11例,癌前病变和癌变组11例）,采用流式细胞分析技术检测其外周血T淋巴细胞（CD3^＋）、辅助性T淋巴细胞（Th细胞,CD3^＋CD4^＋）、抑制性T淋巴细胞（Ts细胞,CD3^＋CD8^＋）、Th／Ts比值（CD3^＋CD4^＋／CD3^＋CD8^＋）、B淋巴细胞（CD3^-CD19^＋）和自然杀伤细胞[NK细胞,CD3^-CD（16＋56）^＋]的改变情况,并比较不同临床分度砷中毒患者和不同皮肤病损患者上述指标的差异。[结果]与对照组比较,轻、中、重度中毒组患者外周血CD3^＋、CD3^＋CD4^＋和CD3^-CD19^＋淋巴细胞百分比均降低（P〈0.01或P〈0.05）,暴露组CD3^＋CD4^＋和CD3^-CD19^＋淋巴细胞百分比降低（P〈0.05）;重度中毒组CD3^-CD（16＋56）^＋细胞百分比高于对照组和暴露组（P〈0.05）;与一般病变组比较,癌前病变和癌变组外周血CD3^＋、CD3^＋CD4^＋和CD3^-CD19^＋淋巴细胞百分比均降低（P〈0.05）;[结论]Th细胞和B淋巴细胞可能是燃煤型砷污染致人体免疫损伤的早期靶点。燃煤型砷中毒患者外周血中Th细胞和B淋巴细胞百分比的降低可能在砷中毒的发生发展过程中起一定作用。     

接触苯女工淋巴细胞亚群及免疫状态调查研究

Peripheral blood from 29 female subjects occupationally exposed to benzene for an average duration of 8.6 years were analysed with monoclonal antibodies (McAbs). Acid alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE)-positive cells among lymphocytes and serum IgG, IgA and IgM levels were determined simultaneously. The results showed a decreased total number of lymphocytes, reduction of percentages and absolute numbers of both CD2+ and CD4+ cells, decreased CD8+ and CD57+ cell numbers without significant changes in their percentages, a decreased CD4+/CD8+ ratio, an increased CD20+ cell percentage without significant change in its absolute number and a decreased serum IgM level. ANAE(+)-cell percentages of lymphocytes were of marked positive correlation to CD2+ cell percentages. These results indicate that benzene can cause immunosuppressive effects to the exposed subjects and the analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations by means of McAbs may be useful for evaluating early adverse health effects on workers exposed to the toxicant.     

非孕与早孕妇女外周血及宫内膜和蜕膜组织自然杀伤细胞亚群的变化

目的:探讨非孕与早孕妇女的外周血、宫内膜和蜕膜组织之间的自然杀伤(NK)细胞亚群的差异,以及雌、孕激素对外周血、宫内膜和蜕膜组织NK细胞的影响。方法:用流式细胞仪检测非孕和早孕妇女外周血、宫内膜和蜕膜组织NK细胞表面标记CD56和CD16分子,以及用放射免疫沉淀法测定外周血清雌二醇(E2)和孕酮(P4)水平,并进行比较分析。结果:早孕外周血组NK细胞的CD56+CD16-、CD56+CD16+和CD56-CD16+3组亚群的百分率均明显高于非孕外周血组(分别为P≤0.013、P<0.001、P≤0.001);非孕宫内膜组的NK细胞以CD56+为主,为20.82%,且其CD56+CD16-的百分率明显高于其外周血组,而CD56-CD16+的百分率明显小于外周血组(P≤0.001),两组的CD56+CD16+的百分率无差异(P>0.05),非孕宫内膜组CD56+CD16-的百分率明显高于CD56+CD16+和CD56-CD16+(均为P<0.001),非孕外周血组的NK细胞以CD16+为主,且其CD56-CD16+的百分率明显高于CD56+CD16-和CD56+CD16+(均为P<0.001)。早孕蜕膜组的NK细胞以CD56+为优势,为62.42%。早孕蜕膜组NK细胞的CD56+CD16-、CD56+CD16+和CD56-CD16+3组亚群的百分率均明显高于非孕宫内膜组(均为P<0.001),而早孕周围血中的NK细胞以CD56+CD16+和CD16+为主,分别为9.93%和10.65%,且与CD56+CD16-比较均有显著性差异(均为P<0.001),早孕外周血组CD16+NK细胞的百分率明显高于蜕膜组(P≤0.001),且两组CD56+CD16+的百分率无差异(P>0.05)。结论:孕激素能明显促进宫内膜CD56+NK细胞的增殖和分化,雌、孕激素水平的协同升高可增加外周血和宫内膜组织的CD56+、CD56+CD16+、和CD16+NK细胞亚群的百分率;CD56+CD16+NK细胞在早孕外周血和蜕膜组织之间,以及在非孕外周血和宫内膜组织之间均可能起免疫调控作用。     

Immunophenotyping characteristic of the major lymphocyte populations and subpopulations in patients during salmonella infection

AIM: To study the quantitative changes in the major lymphocyte populations and subpopulations in the peripheral blood of patients during salmonellosis and find correlations of these changes with disease severity and bacterial clearance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 24 adult patients with culture-proven gastrointestinal salmonellosis. Flow-cytometry was used to identify CD19+ (B lymphocytes), CD2+ (total T lymphocytes), CD3(+)CD4+ (helper T cells), CD3(+)CD8+ (suppressor/cytotoxic T lymphocytes), CD4(+)CD29+ and CD4(+)CD45(-)RA+ (helper/ inducer subpopulation and naive Tlymphocytes) in the acute and the convalescent phases of disease. The absolute number and percentage of cells in 1 microl of peripheral blood were also determined. Immunophenotype analysis was conducted on an EPICS XL-MCL flow cytometer, Coulter, USA using monoclonal antibodies produced by the same firm. RESULTS: T and B lymphocytes and the immunocompetent T cells were slightly decreased transiently in the acute phase of the disease. Helper T lymphocytes were slightly increased with a significant increase observed of helper/inducer cells and decrease of the naive T lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: The increase of B lymphocytes at the height of salmonellosis bears additionally a diagnostic significance in determining the severity of the disease while the increase of the helper T lymphocytes can be a prognostic marker of early bacterial clearance.     

Immunological findings in anorexia and bulimia nervosa

Cytofluorometric studies, using monoclonal antibodies directed against surface antigens of mononuclear blood cells, were conducted in 10 patients with anorexia nervosa, 12 patients with bulimia nervosa, and in 9 healthy, age matched controls. While total leukocytes were not different between groups, the number of lymphocytes was significantly reduced in anorectic but not in bulimic patients. The number of T- but not of B-lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages was diminished. All T-cell populations (helper/inducer = CD4); suppressor/cytotoxic = CD8) and CD57 positive natural killer (NK) cells were reduced in anorexia nervosa. This effect is probably caused by increased glucocorticoid secretion.