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Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Immunological parameters in current and former US Air Force personnel
W H Wolfe1, J C Miner, J E Michalek
1Epidemiologic Research Division, Armstrong Laboratory (AFMC), Brooks Air Force Base, Texas 78235-5241.
Insights
Immune cell counts and functions in US Air Force personnel are significantly affected by age and alcohol consumption, leading to suppressed immunity. Tobacco use, however, showed a stimulatory effect on T-cell immunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematology
Background:
- Assessing immune status is crucial for understanding health outcomes.
- Previous studies have not comprehensively evaluated lifestyle factors' impact on immune markers in military personnel.
Purpose of the Study:
- To extensively assess the immune system of US Air Force personnel.
- To determine the influence of age, race, body fat, tobacco, and alcohol on immune cell distribution and function.
Main Methods:
- Conducted cell surface marker studies (CD2, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD14, HLA-DR) on 497 male subjects.
- Performed functional assays including phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation, mixed lymphocyte cultures, and natural killer cell assays.
- Utilized statistical analyses to correlate immune variables with demographic and lifestyle factors.
Main Results:
- Age and alcohol consumption showed significant negative correlations with most immune cell counts and functions.
- Tobacco use was associated with increased T-cell numbers and function.
- Significant variations were observed across different immune parameters.
Conclusions:
- Age-specific reference ranges are essential for accurate immune status assessment.
- Lifestyle factors, particularly alcohol and tobacco use, critically influence immune markers.
- Consideration of lifestyle factors is necessary for interpreting laboratory assessments of immune status.
Abstract:
As part of a comprehensive study of current and former US Air Force personnel, an extensive assessment of the immune system of 497 normal male subjects was conducted in 1987. Cell surface marker studies for CD2 (total T cells), CD4 (helper T cells), CD8 (suppressor T cells), CD25 (activated T cells), CD20 (total B cells), CD14 (monocytes), and HLA-DR positive cell populations were measured. The CD4/CD8 ratio was also calculated. Functional stimulation assays were also performed using phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and a culture of mixed lymphocytes. Assays of natural killer cells with and without interleukin-2 stimulation were done. In addition to the distribution and range of values for each assay, statistical analyses were performed to determine the effect of age, race, percentage body fat, tobacco use and alcohol consumption on each variable. Age and alcohol consumption had significant correlation with suppressed counts and functions on nearly all variables while tobacco use was associated with stimulation of both T-cell numbers and function. These findings highlight the importance of using age-specific ranges of normal values for these tests of immunity and the need to consider life-style factors in the interpretation of the laboratory assessment of immune status.
