Reduction in T lymphocyte subpopulations following acute exposure to 4 ppm nitrogen dioxide

The effect of acute exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on splenic T lymphocyte subpopulations was studied in C57BL/6cum mice. The mice were exposed to 4 ppm NO2 for 8 hr. Monoclonal antibodies to T lymphocyte differentiation antigens and fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis were used to detect changes in T lymphocyte subpopulations. Percentages of total T lymphocytes (Thy-1.2-positive), T-helper/inducer lymphocytes (L3T4-positive), and T-cytotoxic/suppressor lymphocytes (Lyt-2-positive) were significantly lower in NO2-exposed animals than in filtered-air-breathing controls. Large T-cytotoxic/suppressor cells were found to be the most susceptible subpopulation. Spleen and body weights of the mice were also determined. There were no differences between body weights of control and exposed animals; however, exposed mice had significantly lower spleen weights. This is the first report providing evidence linking alterations in T lymphocyte subpopulations to acute NO2 exposure at occupational levels. T lymphocytes play a central role in regulatory and effector immunological functions such as mediating delayed hypersensitivity, regulating immunoglobulin production, and lysing virus-infected and neoplastic cells. The biological significance of these findings remains to be established, but it is very likely that functional impairment occurs since an optimal immune response depends upon a proper balance of the T lymphocyte subpopulations. Detection of alterations in T lymphocyte subpopulations using monoclonal antibodies and FACS analysis may provide an extremely sensitive means of demonstrating NO2-induced changes in the immune system.