Decreases in CD8+ T, Naive (CD4+CD45RA+) T, and B (CD19+) Lymphocytes by Exposure to Manganese Fume

Abstract

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) µ µ µ µ µg/dl and 21 healthy controls working in the same factory (BMn concentrations: 0.7 to 1.7, mean 1.1 µ µ µ µ µg/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.

Immunotoxicology of arc welding fume: Worker and experimental animal studies

“…Human studies related to welding fume exposure and immune function. Author Finding Avashia et al (2007) Fatal pneumonia case in male metalworkers in Texas Beaumont and Weiss (1980) Excess mortality from pneumonia with welding fume exposure Borska et al (2003) Alterations of systemic immunologic proteins Boshnakova et al (1989) Suppression of T-and B-lymphocyte immune system Coggon et al (1994) Pneumococcal and unspecified lobar pneumonia in metal workers Comhair and Erzurum (2002) Welding fume exposure associated with systemic inflammation and/or oxidative stress du Plessis et al (2010) Welding fume exposure associated with systemic inflammation and/or oxidative stress Fang et al (2009) Welding fume exposure associated with systemic inflammation and/or oxidative stress Registrar General (1958,1971,1981) Welders have increased mortality from pneumonia Han et al (2005) Welding fume exposure associated with systemic inflammation and/or oxidative stress Hanovcova et al (1998) Alterations of systemic immunologic proteins Hoffmaster et al (2004) Non-fatal case of pneumonia in a male metalworker in Louisiana Kim et al (2005) Welding fume exposure associated with acute systemic inflammation and/or oxidative stress McMillan and Pethybridge (1983) Mortality from pneumonia with welding fume exposure Milham (1983) Mortality from pneumonia with welding fume exposure Miller et al (1997) Fatal pneumonia case of two male metalworkers in Louisiana Nakata et al (2006) Inverse relationship between blood manganese levels and lymphocyte populations Newhouse et al (1985) Mortality from pneumonia with welding fume exposure Nielsen et al (1993) Alterations of systemic immunologic proteins Palmer et al (2003) Inhalation of metal fumes renders the worker susceptible to infectious pneumonia Palmer et al (2006) Chronic metal fume exposure impairs lung defenses Polednak (1981) Mortality from pneumonia with welding fume exposure Puntoni et al (1979) Mortality from pneumonia with welding fume exposure Tuschl et al (1997) Welding fume reduced the cytotoxic activity of lymphokine-activated killer cells functionality of immune competent cells was associated with altered immune-related cytokine and antibody production as well as impaired resolution...…”

“…For example, a study examining the effects of Mn exposure in welders (work experience = 6-36 years) found a significant inverse correlation between blood Mn concentrations and CD8 + , CD3 + , CD4 + , naïve T, and total lymphocytes after adjusting for age and smoking (Nakata et al, 2006). In addition, B (CD19 + )-lymphocyte numbers were also significantly decreased in high Mn-exposed welders.…”

Reference range for T lymphocytes populations in blood donors from two different regions in Brazil

“…It is usually defined by flow cytometry, using dye labeled monoclonal antibodies against these molecules. Some different reference range values were published from other countries and these results could be associated with ethnic, nutrition and behaviors factors according to the population studied [10][11][12][13][14]. Therefore, it is needed a evaluation of these parameters in different populations, to provide a reliable reference range for the normal values, which can be used for different regions of the country, regardless the genetic background of their populations.…”

Short-term manganese inhalation decreases brain dopamine transporter levels without disrupting motor skills in rats

“…This can be converted to an equivalent human dose of 15 mg/m 3 over the same duration (Reagan-Shaw et al, 2008). Mn exposure in humans can originate from MMT emitted to the atmosphere during the combustion of gasoline, while high concentrations of Mn can also be detected in some working environments, where Mn concentrations of 0.093 mg/m 3 (Lucchini et al, 1997), 0.21 mg/m 3 (Myers et al, 2003), 0.948 mg/m 3 (Roels et al, 1992), 1.26 mg/m 3 (Jiang et al, 2007), 4.8 mg/m 3 , and even 35.7 mg/m 3 (Nakata et al, 2006) have been recorded.…”

“…Also, immediately dangerous to life and health concentration (IDLH) provided by NIOSH resources of occupational manganese exposure is 500 mg Mn/m 3 at work-related exposure fields. However, there were still some cases of Mn exposure that exceed the recommended limit, for example up to 2.93 mg/m 3 during ferroalloy manufacture in China (Jiang et al, 2007), up to 4.6 mg/m 3 in a heavy machinery plant in Russia (Ellingsen et al, 2006), 4.8 mg/m 3 in an air conditioner factory, and 35.7 mg/m 3 in a factory producing bridge parts in Korea (Nakata et al, 2006).…”