Lead poisoning influences TCR-related gene expression patterns in peripheral blood T-lymphocytes of exposed workers. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Niu, Yuzhe; Yu, Wei; Fang, Su; Liu, Sichu; Yang, Zhiqian; Liu, Weiwei; Chen, Shaohua; Yang, Lijian; Li, Bo; Li, Yangqiu
• Is Part Of: Journal of immunotoxicology. Volume 12:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 92
• Page End: 97
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Immunotoxicology -- Periodicals; Poisons -- Immunology -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.97
• DOI: 10.3109/1547691X.2014.899412
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1547-691X

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Previous studies have shown that occupational lead (Pb) exposure might influence human T-lymphocyte function, including such as changes in T-cell receptor (TCR) V<italic>β</italic> and V<italic>γ</italic> repertoire and in expression of the <italic>TCRζ</italic> gene. Thus, the study here further investigated expression of TCR<italic>ζ</italic>-related factors and the <italic>F<sub>c</sub><sub>ε</sub>RIγ</italic> gene (whose product has a functional role complementary to the TCR<italic>ζ</italic> chain) and the <italic>Elf-1</italic> gene whose product is involved in regulation of TCR expression. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR was used to measure expression of <italic>TCRζ, F<sub>c</sub><sub>ε</sub>RIγ</italic>, and <italic>Elf-1</italic> genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from 17 Pb-exposed workers. Samples were collected before and after the workers had undergone chelation therapy regimens. Twenty-three healthy individuals served as controls. The results showed that <italic>TCRζ, F<sub>c</sub><sub>ε</sub>RIγ</italic>, and <italic>Elf-1</italic> gene expression in Pb-exposed workers before chelation therapy was significantly lower than in PBMC from healthy individuals. After chelation therapy, expression of <italic>TCRζ</italic> appeared to trend toward normal levels; in comparison, lower expressions of <italic>F<sub>c</sub><sub>ε</sub>RIγ</italic> and <italic>Elf-1</italic> persisted. In conclusion, the previously-documented impairment of T-lymphocyte functions and T- lymphocyte-mediated immune responses seen previously in response to occupational Pb exposure might be attributable, in part, to effects on TCR signaling pathways - including those related to TCR<italic>ζ</italic> and F<sub>c</sub><italic><sub>ε</sub></italic>RI<italic>γ</italic> - and to any down-regulation of membrane TCR<italic>ζ</italic> expression/activity that might be associated with Pb-induced effects on <italic>Elf-1</italic> expression.</p> </abstract>