[Gene manifestations in negative man-made environment: a selective genetically determined sensitivity to asbestos]

Genetic polymorphism of the systems of haptoglobin, transferrin, alpha 1-antitrypsin and complement C3 was investigated in patients with asbestosis and in healthy individuals who contacted with asbestos for a long time. The significant differences were discovered between the groups under comparison in the distribution of the phenotypic and genic frequencies in these loci. Simultaneous studies of the levels of these proteins depending on the phenotype demonstrated differentiation of the patients and healthy subjects according to the mean values and dispersions. The data obtained provide evidence in favour of occupational selection as regards the genetic factors investigated.