Immunity in children with exposure to environmental lead: II. Effects on humoral immunity

Abstract

Lead has been found to depress the immune system in animal studies at levels far below those responsible for overt toxicity. Literature studies in animal systems most clearly showed an effect of lead on response to a specific immunogenic stimulus. Data are sparse concerning the effects of lead on the immune system in the human population at greatest risk for exposure-children up to six years of age. This portion of the Phase I study reports concentrations of IgG, IgM, IgA, and IgE, as well as antibody titers to the specific antigenic stimuli provided by the vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, and Rubella. The study population consisted of a group of 193 children, ages 9 months to 6 years, who participate in the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) and Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs in the urban area of Springfield-Greene County Missouri. Blood lead levels ranged from 1 to 50 μg dL(-1). Total Ig levels were determined and the data were analysed. No consistent significant differences were observed among the risk categories in the five age groups examined. A single Ig class in each of three age groups showed apparent significant differences among the various risk categories, but these differences were not correlated with blood lead. An analysis of specific antibody titers to diphtheria, tetanus, and Rubella was performed. Regression analyses of current data in Phase I of this study suggest a detrimental effect of lead on the antibody titres to diphtheria and Rubella.

Environmental cigarette smoke exposure modulates IgE levels of Pb-exposed children

“…The current study focused on the modifications of immune function induced by Pb exposure with additional emphasis on the effect of concurrent ETS exposure. This study is a continuation of previous reports by Lutz et al that describe outcomes prior to completion of recruitment/sample collection (first 45 months) in the Springfield MO cohort (Lutz et al, 1994a; Lutz et al, 1994b; Lutz et al, 1999). …”

“…Pb-exposure suppresses specific lymphocyte cell populations (Karmaus et al, 2005; Lutz et al, 1994a), stimulates humoral immunity including B-cell proliferation (Massadeh et al, 2007; Lutz et al, 1999), and increases IgE levels (Lutz et al, 1994b; Lutz et al, 1999) in children. Significant increases in IgG, IgA, and IgM in children under age three with elevated PbB have been noted (Sarasua et al, 2000), but no relationship was found between elevated PbB levels and immunoglobulin levels for adults and children over 3 years of age.…”

Immune Responses to COVID-19 Vaccines in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Lead Exposure

“…Although the influence of lead on the immune system is well established, there are limited data regarding the potential impact of lead on functional immunity. In 1994, Lutz et al [ 22 ] demonstrated that among children aged 9 months to 6 years recruited through the Women, Infants and Children program in Missouri, BLLs were associated with decreased vaccine-induced antibody titers for diphtheria and rubella but not tetanus. More recent studies of children aged 3 to 7 years living in an electronic waste recycling area in Guangdong Province, China, found that BLLs were associated with lower IgG antibody titers against pertussis, diphtheria, polio, measles [ 23 ] and hepatitis B [ 23 , 24 ].…”

Evaluating the effects between metal mixtures and serum vaccine antibody concentrations in children: a prospective birth cohort study

“…The positive association we observed for B-Pb was contrary to what we hypothesized. We originally hypothesized that lead exposure would be associated with signs of humoral immunosuppression based on previous evidence of lead-associated reductions in total IgG and vaccine-specific antibodies [26,29,30]. One cross-sectional study provided evidence of immunosuppression by observing a negative association between B-Pb and hepatitis B surface antibody titers among vaccinated elementary school children living near an e-waste facility [30].…”

“…increased Th2:Th1 ratio), and asthma severity or atopy [25][26][27][28]. Early life lead exposure in children has also been associated with reduced humoral immunity and vaccine response [27,29,30].…”