T and B Lymphocytes in Patients with Nickel Sensitivity

Abstract

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from altogether 45 nickel-sensitive patients and 37 controls were assayed for various T and B cell variables. All the patients, but none of the controls, fulfilled our in vitro criteria for a positive response to nickel sulphate (NiSO4). We report normal T and B lymphocyte counts, normal spontaneous plaque-forming cell (PFC) numbers, normal serum immunoglobulin levels, and no demonstrable specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity associated with nickel sensitivity. We could detect only a slight increase in the number of PFC and in the number of cytoplasmic immunoglobulin positive (cIg+) cells following stimulation of the patients' cells with NiSO4 for 6 days in culture. Apart from a transient increase in the [3H]thymidine uptake by patients' cells stimulated with NiSO4 in vitro, and a transient drop in the OKT4/OKT8 ratio, there were no major differences in the values of the above variables before and after in vivo challenge of 3 patients with NiSO4. Blood from only 2 of the latter 3 patients was tested in the DNA synthesis test. We conclude that apart from the DNA synthesis test, none of these tests is of any use as an aid to diagnosis in patients with nickel sensitivity. A careful attitude towards patch testing should be maintained.

In vitro reactivity to implant metals demonstrates a person‐dependent association with both T‐cell and B‐cell activation

“…Hart et al58 reported that in patients with metal‐on‐metal implant (surface replacements), a threshold level of circulating cobalt and chromium ions was significantly correlated with reduced CD8+ T‐cell counts 58. However, other studies of metal‐sensitive individuals without implants or heterogeneous populations of orthopedic patients59, 60 have not shown such altered circulating immune cell function to exposure correlations. This demonstrates that alterations in circulating immune cell (e.g., T‐cell or B‐cell) number or activity is likely a subtle phenomenon that requires either more specific subject groups and analysis58 and/or requires amplification of any altered immune reactivity using in vitro challenge and assay, such as this study.…”

Diagnostic relevance of the lymphocyte transformation test for sensitization to beryllium and other metals (IUPAC Technical Report)

“…The same group [35] found a significant increase in the strength of the Ni LTT in 8 allergic patients after oral challenge with Ni. In a series of 43 Ni allergic patients with a positive patch test, a linear correlation coefficient of only 0.42 was found between patch test and LTT [36]. Furthermore, some patients with strong skin reactivity had a weak LTT response, and vice versa.…”

Toxicological Effects of Nickel Chloride on IgA+ B Cells and sIgA, IgA, IgG, IgM in the Intestinal Mucosal Immunity in Broilers

“…Ni or Ni compounds exposure can affect the serum immunoglobulins in human [27]. High levels of Ni may depress the circulating antibody response of rats immunized with a viral antigen [28], and reduce the number of cytoplasmic immunoglobulin positive (cIg + ) cells of the Ni-sensitive patients’ cells in culture [29]. Also, NiCl 2 can adversely impact primary antibody production in the spleen of mice [30] and NiSO 4 cause significantly reduce specific antibody-producing splenocytes in mice [31].…”