Immunological effect of silica dust analyzed by monoclonal antibodies

We found a significant decrease of OKT8 + ve cells in silicosis patients (18.1%), but also in unaffected exposed workers (19.0%), when compared with sex- and age-matched controls (22.8%). The proportion of OKT8 + ve cells was significantly lower in subjects with antinuclear antibodies (15.7%) and in those with IgG-rheumatoid factors (16.3%).