The Immunotoxicity of Chronic Exposure to High Levels of Lead: An Ex Vivo Investigation

Abstract

Lead (Pb) is a toxic metal known for its wide-ranging adverse health effects. However, a compound of Pb is still used in the caulking process to repair wooden fishing boats. The present study aimed to measure Pb exposure and its immunologic effects in boatyard workers in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand, in comparison with an age-matched control group of farmers. The age, body mass index, and smoking history in workers (n = 14) and controls (n = 16) did not differ. The median blood Pb concentration was 8.7-fold higher in workers than controls (37.1 versus 4.3 µg/dL, p < 0.001). Workers had 8.4% lower phagocytic active cells than controls (89.9% versus 98.1%, p = 0.019). In response to a mitogen stimulation, the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from workers produced 2-fold higher ratios of interleukin-4 (IL-4) to interferon-γ than the PBMCs from controls (p = 0.026). Furthermore, Pb-exposed workers had 33.9% lower cytotoxic T (Tc) cells than controls (24.3% versus 36.8%, p = 0.004). In stark contrast, the percentage of regulatory T (Treg) cells in workers was 2.7-fold higher than controls (6.1% versus 2.3%, p < 0.001). In all subjects, blood Pb showed positive correlations with the percentages of Treg cells (r = 0.843, p < 0.001) and IL-4 (r = 0.473, p = 0.041) while showing an inverse correlation with the percentages of Tc cells (r = −0.563, p = 0.015). These findings indicate that chronic high Pb exposure may cause a shift towards humoral immune response, together with a suppression of cellular immunity, thereby suggesting an elevation in cancer risk in Pb-exposed workers.

A novel mushroom (Auricularia polytricha) glycoprotein protects against lead-induced hepatoxicity, promotes lead adsorption, inhibits organ accumulation of lead, upregulates detoxifying proteins, and enhances immunoregulation in rats

“…The analysis implied that APL would activate the immune system to reinforce the cell protection mechanism to confront lead-induced toxicity. It is known that heavy metals other than lead, such as cadmium and mercury, also exert immunotoxicity ( 83 – 85 ). A. polytricha fruiting bodies were used for removing Hg and Cd ( 25 , 86 ).…”

Modifiable contributing factors to COVID-19: A comprehensive review

“… Skalny et al (2020) respiratory dysfunction; immunotoxicity; viral diseases; COVID-19; COPD; bronchitis; impaired mucociliary clearance; reduced barrier function; airway inflammation; oxidative stress; apoptosis; influenza; respiratory syncytial virus; adaptive immunity; smoking; particulate pollution; PM2.5; tobacco smoke; respiratory dysfunction; immunotoxicity; viral diseases; respiratory diseases; COPD; bronchitis; reduced barrier function; respiratory system; COVID-20 WIS “The present study aimed to measure Pb exposure and its immunologic effects in boatyard workers …..The median blood Pb concentration was 8.7-fold higher in workers than controls …..Workers had 8.4% lower phagocytic active cells than controls …..chronic high Pb exposure may cause a shift towards humoral immune response, together with a suppression of cellular immunity, thereby suggesting an elevation in cancer risk in Pb-exposed workers." Pukanha et al (2020) immunologic; age; body mass index; blood Pb concentration; phagocytic active cells; peripheral blood mononuclear cells; PBMCs; interleukin-4; IL-4; interferon-γ; cytotoxic T cells; Tc; regulatory T cells; Treg; humoral immune response; cellular immunity; cancer IIC “Co-exposure to SiNPs and Pb could aggravate the cardiovascular toxicity via endothelial damage, hypercoagulation, and cardiac injury in vivo." Feng et al (2018) heart; aortic arch; abdominal aorta; blood components; fibrinolytic factors; plasmin factors; inflammation-related factors; myocardial-related enzyme in serum; leukocytosis; thrombocytopenia; aspartate aminotransferase; AST; cholesterol; CHO; triglyceride; TG; high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol; HDL-C; low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol; LDL-C; fibrinolytic and plasmin factors; thrombin time; TT; prothrombin time; PT; activated partial thromboplastin time; APTT; tissue-type plasminogen activator; t-PA; tissue factor pathway inhibitor; TFPI; antithrombin III; AT III; human fibrinogen; FIB; D-dimer; D2D; myocardial-related enzyme in serum; atrial natriuretic peptide; brain natriuretic peptide; C-reactive protein; CRP; IL-6; TNF-α; angiotensin II; ANG II; endothelin 1; ET-1; blood vessels DNS “Exposure to Pb causes neurotoxicity that ranges from neurodevelopmental disorders to serious neurodegenerative lesions, leading to impairments in learning, memory, and cognitive function” Zhou et al (2020) RyR3; intracellular calcium disorder; [Ca2+]i; phospho-CaMKIIα; phospho-CREB; Bcl2; phospho-Erk1/2; NGF; amyloid β peptide; Tau; neurodegeneration; cognitive function; long-term potentiation Less individual income [5].…”

Alteration of the Immune Functions Among Workers of Secondary Aluminum Smelting

“…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).…”