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Monocyte CD14 response following endotoxin exposure in cotton spinners and office workers
D Fishwick1, S N Raza, P Beckett
1Sheffield Occupational and Environmental Lung Centre and Health and Safety Laboratory, Broad Lane, Sheffield, S3 7HQ, United Kingdom. david.fishwick@hsl.gov.uk
Background:
Monocyte cell surface CD14 acts as the major lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding structure, and as such is of interest in the etiology of LPS induced disease.
Methods:
The objective was to assess change in monocyte cell surface CD14 and CD4+ CD25+ lymphocytes in a group of cotton workers exposed to LPS over a working week, and to compare this to changes in office workers. Twenty-five cotton workers and nine office workers were studied. Monocyte CD14 fluorescence was measured by flow cytometry, on samples taken pre-shift on a Monday morning (baseline/pre-exposure), and subsequently after 6 and 72 hr. The majority of cotton workers were exposed to at least 1 EU/m(3) of endotoxin over a working shift, and some highly exposed (between 100 and 400 EU/m(3)).
Results:
After 6 hr of work in the mill, cotton workers developed a significant upregulation in CD14 in comparison to office workers (P = 0.016), whereas CD14 expression had returned to levels not significantly differing from the office workers at 72 hr after first work exposure (P = 0.426).
Conclusions:
We propose that CD14 expression on monocytes may help to determine the mechanism of action of lipopolysaccharide in producing respiratory ill health, and may ultimately play a role in monitoring the health effect associated with LPS exposure in the workplace.
Insights
Cotton workers exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) showed increased CD14 monocyte expression after 6 hours, returning to baseline by 72 hours. This suggests CD14 may monitor workplace LPS health effects.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Immunology
- Environmental Exposure
Background:
- Monocyte CD14 is the primary lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding structure.
- CD14's role in LPS-induced disease etiology is of significant interest.
- Understanding CD14's response to workplace LPS exposure is crucial for occupational health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess changes in monocyte CD14 expression in cotton workers exposed to LPS.
- To compare these changes with those in an unexposed office worker group.
- To evaluate CD14's potential as a biomarker for LPS-induced respiratory ill health.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to measure monocyte CD14 fluorescence.
- Samples were collected from 25 cotton workers and 9 office workers.
- Measurements were taken at baseline, after 6 hours, and 72 hours of the work shift.
Main Results:
- Cotton workers exhibited significant CD14 upregulation after 6 hours of LPS exposure (P=0.016).
- CD14 expression returned to levels not significantly different from office workers by 72 hours (P=0.426).
- Exposure levels in cotton workers ranged from 1 to 400 EU/m³.
Conclusions:
- Monocyte CD14 expression may elucidate LPS mechanisms in respiratory health.
- CD14 monitoring could aid in assessing workplace LPS health impacts.
- This study highlights CD14's dynamic response to occupational endotoxin exposure.