Some subpopulations of lymphocytes in individuals exposed to ionizing radiation in utero
Introduction. It is known that during the period of intrauterine development, the developing organism is especially sensitive to adverse influences. Radiation-mediated immunological disorders play an important role in the formation of not only the early, but also the long-term consequences of radiation. Allergic and autoimmune syndromes predominated in the structure of immune deficiency syndromes. The state of immunity has been studied most fully in persons living in the Techa river basin and exposed to chronic radiation exposure as a result of discharges of liquid radioactive waste from the Mayak Production Association. In the long-term follow-up period, various disorders of innate and adaptive immunity were recorded in this group of individuals. The aim of this study is to assess the subpopulation composition of lymphocytes in individuals exposed to intrauterine irradiation in the long term after irradiation. Material and methods. In this work, the main subpopulations of lymphocytes were analyzed. The number of examined individuals was 56: 29 individuals in utero exposed to ionizing radiation (23 women and 6 men) and controls (25 women and 2 men). The age of the surveyed was from 52 to 72 years. Main lymphocyte subpopulations were measured using flow cytofluorimetry. Results. There were no deviations in the absolute and relative content of lymphocyte subpopulations. There was a tendency towards a decrease in the number of lymphocytes expressing the marker of early activation CD25 with an increase in the total dose of external y-irradiation of the mother during pregnancy. Discussion. The obtained data on the subpopulation composition of lymphocytes are consistent with the results of a survey of persons living in the Techa river basin and exposed to intrauterine irradiation because of discharges of liquid radioactive waste from the Mayak Production Association, during which no changes in the subpopulation composition of lymphocytes were detected in prenatally irradiated persons. The revealed tendency towards a decrease in the relative number of lymphocytes expressing the marker of early activation of CD25 in persons exposed to intrauterine irradiation with an increase in the total absorbed dose of external y-radiation in the bone marrow during the mother’s pregnancy is consistent with the results of experimental studies. Conclusion. As a result of the study of persons exposed to intrauterine irradiation, no abnormalities were found in the main subpopulations of lymphocytes. A tendency towards a decrease in the relative number of lymphocytes expressing the marker of early activation of CD25 in persons exposed to intrauterine irradiation with an increase in the total absorbed dose of external y-radiation during the mother’s pregnancy was found.