Sequential immunological studies in an asbestos-exposed population. II. Factors affecting lymphocyte function
Campbell, M.J.; Wagner, M.M.; Scott, M.P.; Brown, D.G.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology 39(1): 176-182
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-9104 PMID: 7389191 Document Number: 165380
As part of an immunological study being carried out on a population exposed to asbestos the effect of 2 mitogens, phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) on lymphocyte transformation was assessed on 3 separate occasions for each mitogen. Both mitogens were assayed using fetal calf (FCS) or autologous serum (AS). Those men with pulmonary fibrosis (as measured by the presence of small opacities on X-ray) had a decrease (P < 0.05) using PHA (FCS) when compared with those men with normal chest X-rays. Allowance was made for the significant decline with age for PHA (FCS and AS) transformation. There was a significant increase in PHA (FCS) and PWM (FCS) in ex-smokers and a further increase in smokers. These trends were consistent (at a lower level of significance) from survey to survey. There was no interaction between X-ray category and smoking. The lymphocyte antibody-dependent cytotoxic test was measured on 4 occasions; the only observable effect was a non-significant increase in relation to smoking.