ABSTRACT
T cell number, serum concentrations of thymic hormones and anti-epithelial autoantibodies were studied in people affected at Chernobyl NPP. Group 1 took part in the clearing-up operation and had no clinical manifestations of acute radiation sickness. Group 2 worked at the NPP during the accident; they survived acute radiation sickness (degree I-II, subgroup 2a; degree III-IV, subgroup 2b). The total doses of external radiation were 0.1-0.5 Gy in group 1, up to 4 Gy in subgroup 2a and up to 9 Gy in subgroup 2b. Total T cell number, serum thymic activity and alpha 1-thymosin concentration were decreased in all groups of affected persons. CD8+ cell number decreased only in group 1; CD4+ cell number in subgroup 2b. A decrease in thymic hormone level was most prominent in subgroup 2b. The titres of anti-epithelial antibodies were increased in all groups of affected persons independently of radiation dose. The titres were higher in patients with subnormal levels of alpha 1-thymosin. It has been proposed that radiation alters the function of thymic epithelial cells by direct action and/or through indirect mechanisms including participation of autoantibodies. The observed complex of alterations is similar to that in the normal process of immunological ageing.
Subject(s)
Accidents , Nuclear Reactors , T-Lymphocytes/pathology , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Monitoring, Immunologic , Sex Factors , Thymosin/blood , Thymus Hormones/blood , UkraineABSTRACT
The use of sera containing antibodies to tissue-specific antigens of highly specialized organs (skeletal muscles, heart, skin, excretory glands) enabled us to detect, by immunofluorescence, cells capable of synthesizing analogous antigens (i.e. hetero-organic thymus antigens) in human and animal thymus. Detection of hetero-organic antigens in the thymus is the basis for the hypothesis that natural immunological tolerance to tissue self antigens is formed within the thymus in the course of T-lymphocyte maturation, with thymus antigens taking part in the process.
Subject(s)
Thymus Gland/immunology , Adult , Animals , Child , Cytoplasm/immunology , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Humans , Immune Tolerance , Lactoferrin/immunology , Myasthenia Gravis/immunology , Pemphigus/immunology , Rheumatic Fever/immunology , Species Specificity , Tissue DistributionSubject(s)
Neuromuscular Diseases/drug therapy , Prednisolone/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Adult , Drug Administration Schedule , Humans , Middle Aged , Multiple Sclerosis/drug therapy , Myasthenia Gravis/drug therapy , Myositis/drug therapy , Polyradiculoneuropathy/drug therapy , Recurrence , ThymectomyABSTRACT
Investigation of antibodies to the specific determinant of streptococcal group A polysaccharide in indirect immunofluorescence experiments has revealed the existence of a cross-reactive antigen in the epithelial cells of the thymus and skin. This CR antigen is contained by the epithelial cells of man and animals of different species. It has been demonstrated in all the individuals studied including animals producing antibodies to the polysaccharide of Group A streptococci. The principal cause of autoimmune thymitis characteristic of rheumatic fever and other autoimmune processes is probably damage done to the thymus by autoantibodies resulting from immunization with microbial cross-reactive antigens shared by the thymus. Reaction of the autoantibodies with thymic antigens may affect the immunosuppressive function of the thymus and the maturation process of suppressor T cells. These events probably constitute the basic stage in the development of an autoimmune process.
Subject(s)
Antigens , Cross Reactions , Polysaccharides, Bacterial/immunology , Skin/immunology , Streptococcus pyogenes/immunology , Thymus Gland/immunology , Animals , Epithelial Cells , Epithelium/immunology , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , HumansABSTRACT
Immunofluorescence studies show that thymus epithelial cells react with antibodies to group A streptococcal polysaccharide.
