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Increase in memory (CD4+CD29+ and CD4+CD45RO+) T and naive (CD4+CD45RA+) T-cell subpopulations in smokers
T Tanigawa1, S Araki, A Nakata
1Department of Public Health and Occupational Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
Smoking significantly increases memory T cells and other lymphocyte counts in the blood. Heavy smokers showed higher numbers of CD4+CD29+ and CD4+CD45RO+ (memory T) cells compared to light smokers and non-smokers.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematology
- Public Health
Background:
- Smoking is a major public health concern with known detrimental effects on various bodily systems.
- The impact of smoking on specific lymphocyte subpopulations, crucial for immune function, requires detailed investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of smoking intensity on various lymphocyte subpopulations in male smokers.
- To identify specific T-cell and natural killer cell subsets that are altered by smoking.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to measure CD4+ T-cell (CD4+CD29+, CD4+CD45RO+, CD4+CD45RA+), CD8+ T-cell, B-cell (CD19+), and natural killer cell subpopulations.
- Analysis was conducted on three groups of male subjects: heavy smokers, light-to-moderate smokers, and non-smokers.
Main Results:
- Heavy smokers exhibited significantly higher counts of CD4+CD29+ and CD4+CD45RO+ (memory T) cells compared to light smokers and non-smokers.
- Memory T-cell counts were also significantly higher in light-to-moderate smokers than in non-smokers.
- Increased numbers of total CD3+ T, CD4+ T, CD19+ B, and total lymphocytes were observed in heavy smokers compared to non-smokers, with similar trends for CD3+ T, CD4+ T, and total lymphocytes in light-to-moderate smokers.
Conclusions:
- Smoking, particularly heavy smoking, leads to a significant increase in memory T-cell populations (CD4+CD29+ and CD4+CD45RO+).
- Overall lymphocyte counts, including CD3+ T and CD4+ T cells, are elevated in smokers compared to non-smokers.
- CD4+ T-cell subpopulations, especially memory T cells, appear to be highly susceptible to the effects of smoking.
Abstract:
To examine the effects of smoking on lymphocyte subpopulations, we measured the following cell subpopulations: CD4+ T-cell subpopulations (i.e., CD4+CD29+, CD4+ CD45RO+, and CD4+CD45RA+ cells); CD8+ T-cell subpopulations (i.e., CD8+CD11a+ and CD8+CD11b+ cells); and natural killer cell subpopulations (i.e., CD16+CD57-, CD16+CD57+, and CD16-CD57+ cells). We measured these subpopulations, together with total CD4+ T, total CD8+ T, total CD3+ T, B (CD19+), and total lymphocytes, in 10 male heavy smokers, 38 male light-to-moderate smokers, and 33 male nonsmokers. The mean ages were 30 y, 31 y, and 32 y, respectively, and ages did not vary significantly among the smokers. CD4+CD29+ and CD4+CD45RO+ (memory T) cells in heavy smokers were significantly more numerous than those in light-to-moderate smokers and nonsmokers. Also, these memory T-cell subpopulations were significantly more numerous in light-to-moderate smokers than in nonsmokers. The number of CD4+CD45RA+ (naive T) cells was significantly larger in heavy smokers than nonsmokers; numbers of CD4+CD45RO+ T and CD4+CD29+ T cells (memory T cells) were significantly correlated with daily cigarette consumption. Numbers of CD3+ T, CD4+ T, CD19+ B, and total lymphocytes in heavy smokers were significantly larger than in nonsmokers. There were significantly more CD3+ T, CD4+ T, and total lymphocytes in light-to-moderate smokers than in nonsmokers. The numbers of CD4+ T lymphocytes in heavy smokers were significantly larger than in light-to-moderate smokers. Perhaps CD4+ T cell subpopulations, especially memory T cells, are most susceptible to the effects of smoking on lymphocyte subpopulations.