Lymphocyte subpopulations in solvent-exposed workers

Abstract

To estimate the cellular immune response of workers highly exposed to mixtures of organic solvents, subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) were analyzed. For this, the PBLs of nine floorers (aged 25-58 years, exposure time 8-35 years) were subsequently labelled with monoclonal antibodies OKT4, OKT8, OKT11, anti-Leu 7 and anti-Leu 12. Analysis was made by a FACS IV cell sorter (Becton-Dickinson, USA). The control group consisted of matched pairs of healthy donors. In the exposed group we found a decrease in the OKT11 (all) T cell fraction, a decrease in the OKT4 helper cells, an increase in the anti-Leu 7 positive cells, mostly natural killer cells, an important increase in anti-Leu 12 labelled T cells, i.e., human B-lymphocytes, and no differences in the OKT8 suppressor cells. Total fluorescence intensity profiles between the exposed and the unexposed group did not differ, i.e., the marker density on the cell surfaces remained unchanged. Similar changes in lymphocyte subpopulations are found in states of immunodeficiency and immunogenetic forms of aplastic anemia, a disease whose etiological relationship may be due to long-term exposure to organic solvents.

Quantitative Assessment of Bone Marrow Cellularity by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Workers with Long-Term Exposure to Solvents.

“…MRI was applied for the assessment of bone marrow cellularity since its early time of development [14][15][16] . Bone marrow consists of mostly hematopoietic cells and fat cells filling the available space.…”

Cytogenetic and hematological effects in plastics workers exposed to styrene.

“…On the other hand, workers exposed to other solvents have shown per ipheral lymphocytosis (18,19). In addition workers exposed to various chemical s, including organi c solvents, in a chemical plant showed lymphocytosis, and also increased levels of eosinophils and basophils but not monocytes (22).…”

“…Six out of 20 exposed workers were smokers, with a mean consumption o f eight (ran ge [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] cigarett es per day. Eleven out of 22 referents were smo kers, with a mean consumption of 12 (range [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] cigar ettes per da y. Of th e exposed subjects 13 had had radiographic examinations du ring the last year, and th ree regularly took drug s (theophyllin, terbutalin, pidolol , insulin).…”

“…In contrast, exposure to other organic solvents may cause lymphocytosis (18,19). Whether styrene exposure may affect the per ipheral lymphocyt e level is not known .…”

Profile of Patients with Chemical Injury and Sensitivity

“…Impaired mitogenesis has been noted after exposure to chlordane (6) and isocyanates (7). A higher number of helper cells have been described in workers exposed to solvents (8) and isocyanates (7), and in persons consuming chlorinated solvents in drinking water (9). A greater number of immune complexes are reported with vinyl chloride exposure, and scleroderma has been noted after aromatic or chlorinated solvent exposure (10).…”