Abstract

The immunological effects of asbestos exposure on various lymphocytes such as the regulatory T cell (Treg), responder CD4 +T helper cell (Tresp), CD8 +cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells were investigated. Results show that asbestos exposure impairs anti-tumour immunity through enhancement of regulatory T cell function and volume, reduction of CXCR3 chemokine receptor in responder CD4 +T helper cells, and impairment of the killing activities of CD8 +cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and NK cells. These findings were used to explore biological markers associated with asbestos exposure and asbestos-induced cancers, and suggested the usefulness of serum/plasma IL-10 and TGF-β, surface CXCR3 expression in Tresp, the secreting potential of IFN-γ in Tresp, intracellular perforin level in CTL, and surface expression NKp46 in NK cells. Although other unexplored cytokines in serum/plasma and molecules in these immunological cells, including Th17, should be investigated by experimental procedures in addition to a comprehensive analysis of screening methods, biomarkers based on immunological alterations may be helpful in clinical situations to screen the high-risk population exposed to asbestos and susceptible to asbestos-related cancers such as mesothelioma