Aim: To investigate the distribution and clonality of TCR Vβ subfamily in peripheral blood from workers exposed to lead, in order to understand the change in T cell immunity of occupational lead-exposed workers.
Methods: The CDR3 of TCR Vβ 24 subfamily genes was amplified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 6 lead-exposed workers and 6 healthy individuals using RT-PCR, the positive PCR products were further subjected by genescan analysis to identify T cell clonality.
Results: All 24 TCR Vβ subfamilies were detected in PBMC from 6 healthy individuals which all have polyclonal patterns. Only 1-7 Vβ subfamilies could be identified in lead-exposed workers. In detected TCR Vβ subfamilies, almost oligoclonal and biclonal patterns which mainly in Vβ1 and Vβ16.
Conclusion: The restricted expression and clonal expansion of TCR Vβ subfamily have been found in occupational lead-exposed workers, it may have some relationship with lead toxicity damage to the immune function.