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PubMed · 16034150

Decrease of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in children exposed to environmental lead.

Sun Li·Zhao Zhengyan·Li Rong·Cheng Hanyun
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Abstract

The effects of environmental lead on the immune system of young children were assessed by determining the peripheral blood lymphocytes CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, B(CD19+) counts, and natural killer (CD16+CD56+) cells in 35 preschool children whose mean blood lead level was 140.6 microg/L. The results were compared to an age- and sex-matched control group with a mean blood lead level of 64.3 microg/L. Compared to the controls, a significant reduction in the percentage of CD4+ cells and a significant increase of CD8+ cells were seen in the high-lead group. The negative correlation between the percentage of CD4+ cells and blood lead levels was found to be significant (p<0.01). These results suggest that exposure to environmental lead might result in alterations in the immune function of young children.

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Antigens, CD19B-LymphocytesBody HeightBody WeightCD3 ComplexCD4 AntigensCD4-Positive T-LymphocytesCD56 AntigenCD8 AntigensChild, PreschoolEnvironmental ExposureFemaleHumansImmune SystemInfantKiller Cells, NaturalLeadLead PoisoningLeukocytes, MononuclearLymphocyte CountLymphocyte SubsetsLymphocytesMaleReceptors, IgGSpectrophotometry, AtomicJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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Sun Li, Zhao Zhengyan, Li Rong, Cheng Hanyun. 2005. Decrease of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in children exposed to environmental lead.. https://doi.org/10.1385/bter%3A105%3A1-3%3A019

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