High-Dose Aluminum Exposure Further Alerts Immune Phenotype in Aplastic Anemia Patients

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between immunological status and clinical characteristics of aplastic anemia (AA) patients to plasma aluminum levels, which were increased after constant exposure to high levels of this metal. Sixty-two AA patients (33 cases with high and 29 cases with low or no exposure to aluminum) and 30 healthy controls were selected for this study. Aluminum in human albumin solution was measured by inductivity coupled plasma mass spectrometry. IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, and INF-γ levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The distribution of lymphocyte subsets were determined by flow cytometry. The expression levels of immunoglobulins and complement C3 and C4 were also measured. Exposure to high aluminum raised the levels of serum aluminum in AA patients (P < 0.01). The levels of hemoglobin and complement C4 were lower in AA patients with high aluminum exposure (P < 0.05 and < 0.01, respectively). The percentage of CD4+ T cells and the ratio of CD4+/ CD8+T cells in peripheral blood in AA patients with high aluminum exposure were higher compared with control AA patients (P < 0.05 in both cases), while the percentage of CD8+ T cells was significantly lower than that in non-aluminum–exposed AA patients (P < 0.05). Compared with non-aluminum–exposed AA patients, the level of IL-10 in the high aluminum–exposed AA group was significantly higher (P < 0.05 in both cases). The immunological and clinical characteristics of AA patients from regions of high aluminum exposure are different to those in from non-aluminum areas. These results suggest that high aluminum exposure alters the immune system in patients suffering from AA.

Interactions between Environmental Factors and Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) Genes with Respect to Detectable Blood Aluminum Concentrations in Jamaican Children

“…Even though Al is not required for any biological process in humans and animals, it can be a metallic toxicant at high concentrations after natural or unnatural exposure [ 4 , 5 ]. Exposure to Al has been linked to several adverse health effects, such as asthma [ 6 , 7 ], bone disease [ 8 , 9 , 10 ], immunotoxicity [ 11 , 12 ], congenital malformations [ 13 ], and reproductive toxicity in laboratory animals [ 14 , 15 ]. For example, children with early life exposure to a high level of Al had lower lumbar spine bone mass and lower hip bone mass [ 10 ].…”

Are Trace Element Concentrations in Lung Cancer Tissue Associated with Metastasis?

“…In the literature, aluminum has been associated with many health problems, especially respiratory diseases, malignancies such as bladder, lymphatic, and hematologic cancers, and conditions such as aplastic anemia. 11 , 12 In a recent study conducted in a human colorectal cancer cell line, aluminum was shown to have wide-ranging effects on cells, such as promoting migration and invasion and suppressing adhesion. Exposure to aluminum also altered the expression and secretion of various proteins associated with angiogenesis, tumorigenesis, and metastasis, including E-cadherin, vimentin, Snail, transforming growth factor-β, matrix metalloproteinases 7 and 9, and vascular endothelial growth factor.…”

Alteration of the Immune Functions Among Workers of Secondary Aluminum Smelting

“…Concerning humoral immunity, Al exposure could affect immunoglobins and complement levels in human and animal models. In a recent study, high Al exposure was associated with significant depletion of complement components among the studied anemic patients (Zuo et al, 2021). As for IgM and IgG levels, Synzynys et al (2004) showed that their levels dramatically reduced after consuming a dosage of aluminum chloride (0.04 M), resulting in a severe immunosuppressive impact in mice.…”

“…Inhalation and ingestion of metal fumes and dust, respectively, are considered the main routes of exposure where these metals get accumulated in the body. Although the impact of heavy metals on the immune system among human populations is poorly understood, however, several recent studies illustrated the immunological impact of human exposure to Aluminum (Al) and Lead (Pb) generously (Fenga et al, 2017;Pukanha et al, 2020 andZuo et al, 2021).…”