T-cell immunosenescence and inflammatory response in atomic bomb survivors

Radiat Res. 2010 Dec;174(6):870-6. doi: 10.1667/RR1847.1. Epub 2010 Sep 10.

Abstract

In this paper we summarize the long-term effects of A-bomb radiation on the T-cell system and discuss the possible involvement of attenuated T-cell immunity in the disease development observed in A-bomb survivors. Our previous observations on such effects include impaired mitogen-dependent proliferation and IL-2 production, decreases in naive T-cell populations, and increased proportions of anergic and functionally weak memory CD4 T-cell subsets. In addition, we recently found a radiation dose-dependent increase in the percentages of CD25(+)/CD127(-) regulatory T cells in the CD4 T-cell population of the survivors. All these effects of radiation on T-cell immunity resemble effects of aging on the immune system, suggesting that ionizing radiation might direct the T-cell system toward a compromised phenotype and thereby might contribute to an enhanced immunosenescence. Furthermore, there are inverse, significant associations between plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines and the relative number of naïve CD4 T cells, also suggesting that the elevated levels of inflammatory markers found in A-bomb survivors can be ascribed in part to T-cell immunosenescence. We suggest that radiation-induced T-cell immunosenescence may result in activation of inflammatory responses and may be partly involved in the development of aging-associated and inflammation-related diseases frequently observed in A-bomb survivors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / radiation effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory
  • Inflammation / etiology*
  • Male
  • Nuclear Warfare*
  • Survivors*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / radiation effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / radiation effects